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It was on 5/17 last year that I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and I started writing this Blog on 5/20.

Even though it was a very bumpy and challenging year, it was one of the best years of my life. In addition that my treatments worked well and I am feeling quite strong these days, I learned that I am surrounded by lots of love, people who care about me, and I gained a newfound appreciation for nature, music, and the arts.

While sitting on the back porch of my house, looking at the birds and fresh greens, what I discovered last summer was that I am a part of this beautiful earth. This feeling is most beautifully expressed in the following poem titled “sen-no-kaze (a thousand winds),” which was given to me by my friend when I visited Japan this spring. This was originally an English poem which was translated into Japanese and became popular when a writer/musician put it to music.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.