(MA from Kagoshima Prefecture/Female/60s/Housewife)
My husband just passed away the other day.
His last breath was a very peaceful moment. From the beginning of our marriage, we were never good at having conversations, so I gave up by telling myself that he just does not understand my feelings. I visited the church many times when my husband suffered a terminal cancer. Then I started to wonder how much did I know about him, while I always asked him to understand me. The compassion for my husband inside made me realize that I am the only one who can support him, so I wanted to devote myself to him.
As I stayed by his side in the hospital room with warm conversations, his facial expression became softer each day, and there were even some occasional smiles he gave me. He would worry about my health condition sometimes which made me almost forget he was the one who is sick. We were able to spend valuable and irreplaceable time because we were able to have warm conversations as husband and wife that have never occurred in the past. Children who live outside the prefecture came to see us from time to time, and doctors gave him the best treatment.
Now that I have sent him off with a church funeral, my heart is embraced with peace. I sincerely appreciate that my heart is protected in the hands of Kami.