August 8: We Made It Through the Storm

August 8,
the day the Lion’s Gate reached its peak.
In the midst of a storm, we were able to see it through safely.

Looking back now,
I feel that it was a deeply meaningful day.

Something that would ordinarily seem impossible became possible.

It was, after all,
the coming together of so many people’s heartfelt wishes.
The fact that we were ultimately able to make it happen
now brings home to me, once again,
how much that day meant.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped and everyone who came.

As the day approached,
we went back and forth many times.

A week beforehand, rain was forecast.
We faced the question: go ahead, or not?
When we decided to proceed,
the forecast changed to sunshine.

Typhoon No. 10 then turned away,
but on the day before the event, there was a possibility that Typhoon No. 9
would arrive late on the night of the 8th.
The forecast once again showed rain.

Under ordinary circumstances, we could not have held the event.
But Murakami, who was handling setup and sound,
suggested that tents could be put up if it rained.
With that possibility,

and with some people having looked forward to this day for a whole year,
some already in Aso,

we decided to gather here
and give the best we could,
for as long as we could.
That was how we met the day.

When we woke that morning, the sky was unbelievably clear.

But as evening approached,
the rain and wind gradually grew stronger.

Beyond those we knew were already in Aso,
beyond the faces I had pictured,
so many more people came. I was astonished and deeply moved.

The strength of our trust in one another
made it a time when everything seemed to become one.

We adjusted the program as we went,
and for the first time
presented LIFE with live narration and singing.

A kindergarten boy told us,
“It was amazing! I’m so glad I came!”

One family came with five children.

And among those who had seen LIFE many times,
some said this was the most deeply it had ever reached them.

“I’m glad we decided to come.
It became a day that was a gift to my children and to myself.
Each child felt something in their own way, at their own age.
I’m so happy it became a special day in so many ways.”

We received many wonderful comments like these.

Another response we heard often
was how moved people were
by the friends and colleagues working so hard
to support the event.

I will never forget this time,
made possible by joining forces with our friends,
at the very edge of what we could manage in the wind and rain.

Everyone from the certified nonprofit Japan Therapeutic Care Association
also offered wonderful care to participants, from children to adults.

Some people had to give up their plans to attend.
Even so,
we came to understand
how deeply they had been looking forward to this day.

Museum Director Hayama, Murakami and Oyama, who handled the sound and put up the tents,
everyone from the certified nonprofit Japan Therapeutic Care Association, and the LIFE Angels:
it was a time when we felt the tremendous strength of all of you.

And (岸田宗範), who helped everyone learn about Aso’s water and life as we prepared to gather there.

Thank you, truly.

Our thanks also to our sponsor,
City of Art ACT Kuma 100,
and to everyone who lent their support.

August 8 became a heartfelt day, overflowing with gratitude,
and the beginning of another new chapter.