Tamiko

Tamiko

1917 – 2016

Tamiko passed away on January 25, 2016. She lived to be 98 years old. The day before she collapsed, she enjoyed her routine visit to her favorite day center, having a nice lunch and chatting with everyone. Then in the evening, she went to a bar and grill with my brother for dinner, enjoyed a sip of sake (rice wine), and woke up in the middle of the night saying, “I have to cook dinner. Many people are coming to visit me tomorrow.” I wonder if she sensed it was true. My family is blessed by her rich guidance, but we are feeling a large hole in our heart.

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150-イクヨ

1916 : A year before Tamiko was born.

From the back row right: Tamiko’s mother, Ikuyo (age 24).     

From the front row right: Tamiko’s older brother (age 3),

I found this old photo of Tamiko’s mother, Ikuyo who died at the age of 35 when Tamiko was 12 years old, then her life was flipped upside down…… and her hardships began.