I recently visited Japan for a brief stay with my wife, son, daughter-in-law, and our two grandchildren - a 7 year boy and a four year-old girl. The visit was basically a desire of my son and his wife to introduce our grandchildren to our many relatives in Hiroshima. Our visit was warmly received and the three days passed quickly as we exchanged many stories and enjoyed being and sharing together.

Our visit to my grandparents' gravesite on the hill behind the neighborhood temple was memorable. We washed and cleaned their gravestone, placed flowers, and burned incense. We joined our hands in gassho, chanted the Juseige, and ended the service with our grandson leading us in the recitation of the Golden Chain. I had taken a part of my mother's ashes in 2002 to be placed with her parents. I imagined my mother's happy countenance in 'seeing' all of us there together expressing our appreciation for her love and caring that she shared over her lifetime. Each visit to the gravesite is a reminder and opportunity to reflect and thank her for the many sacrifices she made for all of us in our family.