‘The tragedy of life is not death but what we let die inside Of us while we live.’

• Norman Cousins

60 years later…

It was no ordinary night in their small town as everyone gathered by the river, it was the night of the obon festival. The obon festival is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers the deceased, It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. At the end of the festival, the lanterns are released into the nearest body of water so the spirits can return to the spirit world.

Ashwam’s son stands by the deck as he watches two particular lanterns float down the river, he thought about all the beautiful moments he had with his parents, it was an emotional night but he knew their spirits lived on.

To the ones we have lost, your soul will live on and we will always remember you.