My Farewell

June 20, 2009

A Special Shooting Star

Out in the dark sky, I saw a star streaking.

Streaking across the entire sky.

The tail end had sparkles flickering.

My emotions ran high.

Everything felt good within me.

Warmth and love.

You are still with me.

Jon Riki Karamatsu – June 20, 2009

June 18, 2009

My final message upon my death:

I enjoyed my life, even with its ups and downs.  I love my family who have given me so much love and support.  My grandparents and parents taught me so much, and I am who I am because of them.  My sisters Mia and Lara are the best and I appreciate their love.  I have so many wonderful relatives who have been supportive.  I am grateful for all my friends.  Finally, I appreciate every person who has touched my life.

What an awesome journey my life has been.  I hope I made a positive impact on you.  This is the final chapter of my life, but I will always be with you.  Live life to the fullest, or as I like to say, “Let’s take it to the next level!”

Love, Jon Riki Karamatsu

June 17, 2008

Below is an entry I wrote in my journal on April 8, 2005. It describes why I enjoy this Okinawan song, “Nada Sou Sou” so much. In this video, Rimi Natsukawa is singing. Her voice is so beautiful. It reminds me of my grandparents. I really miss them. When I die, this is my farewell song to all my loved ones.

April 8, 2005

Last weekend, I took my mom and grandma to the Hawaii International Film Festival to watch a Japanese movie “Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.” It was so good! A very sad, romantic movie. It made me think of how precious life is. There is a Japanese song I have been listening to constantly that was remade into a Hawaiian song. The original Japanese song is called “Nada Sousou” and it is very deep. I believe this song was meant for a loved one who passed away. If I were to die, this would be a great song to say goodbye to all my loved ones. The lyrics are as follows:

furui arubamu (album) mekuri
arigatou tte tsubuyaita
itsumo itsumo mune no naka
hagemashite kureru hito yo
harewataru hi mo ame no hi mo
ukabu ano egao
omoide tooku asete mo
omokage sagashite
yomigaeru hi wa nada sousou

ichiban hoshi ni inoru
sore ga watashi no kuse ni nari
yuugure ni miageru sora
kokoro ippai anata sagasu
kanashimi ni mo yorokobi ni mo
omou ano egao
anata no basho kara watashi ga
mietara kitto itsuka
aeru to shinji ikite yuku

harewataru hi mo ame no hi mo
ukabu ano egao
omoide tooku asete mo
samishikute koishikute kimi e no omoi nada sou sou
aitakute aitakute kimi e no omoi nada sou sou

Translation:
I whisper “thank you”, as I leaf through this old photograph album,
to one who always cheered me on, within my heart
And should the memories of that smile I think of,
come rain or shine, fade away into the distance
They return in the days I search for a glimpse of your face, a stream of tears

Almost a habit now, I wish upon the very first star
Looking within the evening skies for you with all my heart
The memories of that smile I think of, in sorrow or joy
And if you can see me, from where you are
I will live on, believing that someday we will meet again

And should the memories of that smile I think of,
come rain or shine, fade away into the distance
In loneliness and yearning – my feelings for you, a stream of tears
If only we could meet, if only we could meet – my feelings for you, a stream of tears