A Kiss on Her Cheek

In the afternoon of August 25th, the last day Maria was conscious, Mari could see her.   The following is Mari's account.

When I came up to Maria's bedside and looked into her face,  Maria signaled me to come closer.  I leaned toward her  face.  "Close your eyes," she said and felt my face with her barely spared right hand.  Thinking she was bidding final farewell to me, I couldn't stop crying. Her sister was also crying.   Maria was struggling to tell me something.  After 5 minutes or so Maria finally said, "You have something on your face."   That brought her sister to tears with laughter.

On leaving,  I said "Bye Bye.  See you tomorrow."  She made a gesture to request me to give a kiss on her cheek.  When I gave a farewell kiss on her cheek as told, she stuck out her tongue playfully.  That was the last cute look on Maria I saw.

By Mari
edited and translated by J. Ujiie
©2011

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25日の午後、まだ意識があった最後の日、私は会うことができました。病室に入って顔を覗き込むと、「おいでおいで」をします。私は顔を近づけました。「目をつむって」と私の顔を最後に動く右手で触るので、最後の挨拶をされていると思い、涙が止まりませんでした。すると、まりあさんが5分以上かかって伝えた言葉は「なんか、着いてるよ」でした。横でもらい泣きしていたお姉さんも泣き笑い。そして、最後、「バイバイまた、明日ね」というとほっぺにキスをしろとジェスチャーします。言われたとおり、チュっとすると、舌をペロリとだして、おどけました。それが、私が最後に見たまりあさんのかわいらしい表情でした。

by Mari