“If our life did not fade and vanish like the dews of Adashino’s graves or the drifting smoke from Toribe’s burning grounds, but lingered on for ever, how little the world would move us. It is the ephemeral nature of things that makes them wonderful.”
For two days now my grandfather, mother’s father, has been in the intensive care unit, after being struck down by old age – a stroke. He is 83.
“Among all living creatures it is man that lives longest. The brief dayfly dies before evening; summer’s cicada knows neither spring nor autumn. What a glorious luxury it is to taste life to the full for even a single year. If you constantly regret life’s passing, even a thousand long years will seem but the dream of a night.”
He is unable to open his eyes or speak and he seems to drift from semi-conscious states to deep sleep. Only a few days ago he was running about the garden. I saw him through the window.
“Why cling to a life which cannot last for ever, only to arrive at ugly old age?”
Liberation or renewal, escape or reincarnation, whatever death is, it comes with such awful preliminaries.
Is your grandfather alive? Cherish him. Call him, email him, message him, hug him if you can. It only takes a moment, and it means so much.
***
Quotes from Kenko’s A Cup of Sake Beneath the Cherry Trees (Penguin Classics), translated by Meredith McKinnney
boy with a hat 
Oh I am so sorry to hear this news. 😦
Neither of my grandfathers is alive anymore, but I knew them both well before they died. I hope you can find peace in the passing that is inevitable. Lovely post with lots to think about.
Touching post.
Beautiful quotes from Kenko.
Thanks for this great message. I thought a few moments about what you were written in your blog article. Very impressive & you’re absolutely right.
Such a beautiful post, and absolutely adored these quotes. I unfortunately lost both my Grandfather’s before I was born, so I’ve never really had that figure in my life. I hope that you’re grandfather gets better soon 🙂 Xx
This is great. I didn’t know any of my grand fathers personally but i did get to to know my great grandfather and I can really associate though I lost him last year. He will get better
Sometimes the most joyful thing is release. I am sorry to hear your news, but above all I wish him all he wishes for himself. There is always a time.