Thank you Bachan.

I wrote this when Bachan passed away but I never shared it on my blog until today. 

10/2/25 was the one year anniversary of Bachan’s passing and we were able to go to the cemetery. We miss her every day and we are so grateful to have such amazing memories to keep in our hearts. 

Thank you for all you shared with us Bachan. I love you so much. Here are a few pictures from her funeral and some of the food we made for her service with family and friends along with my reflections from her passing. 

This is a post I never wanted to make but somewhere deep down knew at some point I would have to. Death is inescapable and we can only be so lucky as to live a life filled with love for as long as Bachan did. On Wednesday, 10/2/2024 at about 5pm Bachan passed away peacefully at home with my Mom and Dad. 

Bachan lived an amazing 101 years, born on July 21, 1923 and we are so lucky to have had so many amazing memories with her. She is resting in peace with our loved ones and I am so grateful for everything she taught me and our one-of-a-kind relationship that we had during my whole life. 

A huge piece of me is missing as I sift through all the amazing memories I have, sit in long periods of  peaceful and painful reflection knowing she’s not just a car ride away anymore but still feeling the duality of comfort in her presence that is all around me and the ache of her absence. I will never be able to fully express the gratitude and love I have for Bachan and how much she influenced my life and allowed me to become the person I am today.  

With every piece of sushi I roll, inari I fill, mochi I make, each cup of rice I wash, each cucumber I peel and cut, each persimmon I eat, each bite of fresh fruit, and every walk around the block I remember her in simple moments of my childhood that have gone by and reflect on the person she helped me to become. Bachan loved me absolutely unconditionally and showed me that she did every moment she could and there is no one else who could ever have given me her special gift. She was creative, strong, fierce, funny and so loving. 

Thank you Bachan for allowing Brandon and I to live in your home, to carry on Japanese traditions you taught me when I was little and for caring so deeply for everyone in our family. 

I hope you know how much you are truly missed and we will be together again one day. 

I love you forever and ever.

Arigatou gozaimasu

Sachiko