A Tribute to Kiyo:
On Living Through the Loss of My Dad.©

My Dad, Kiyo Morimoto died on February 22, 2004.  It has been a few short months since his death and I am slowly emerging from my grief and the bewilderment that the death of a father brings.  This has been one of the most profound times of my life characterized by an amazing presence, intimacy, awareness and love both as he was living out his last days and since his death. 

As he was dying, my Dad taught me how to live. His words of wisdom while often wasted on me as a child and young adult, became profoundly poignant as I sat with him his last days.  They continue to bring me comfort and focus today.  Simple words like, "Never abandon any part of yourself."  And "Be with yourself where you are because that’s where you are." "Take care of your Self!"  "You are your own best friend.  Say hello to yourself every day" and my favorite, "You don’t have to be right, just be present!"

Kiyo was a man of wisdom, insight, incredible vitality, energy, and passion that could be very intimidating.  He was, too, a gentle protective, loving, soulful, simple man, who loved and was passionate about connecting with the essence of people, of seeing them for who they are not for the walls they lived behind, but for their very essence. 

My Dad saw me, all of me and honored the me-ness of me. This gift enabled me to stay present to him and to accompany him through his last days with grace, love, dignity and indescribable presence.  What gifts: Intent, Love, Presence, Accompaniment.  Priceless, Precious. Unbelievable.

I offer here two poems I wrote around the time of his death.  The first speaks to the crushing grief I experienced as I watched him decline.  The second poem expresses how he has stayed present to me.  It is significant in that "Morimoto" means the essence of the forest.  When you read it you will see what I mean. 

I hope these words offer you hope, comfort and the belief that the healing of relationships, the willingness to be seen and the gifts of love are truly transforming.  They are. I know.  I’ve lived it and continue to.

One Last Time©
- by Monique Morimoto Flaherty

 I sit
on the verge of heartbreak
at the precipice of
a void
so deep it sucks the very breath
from my being.

I sit
perched,
expectant
fearing a future
without him.

I sit
in wonder
of the moment,
the blessing of each now,
the gift of each heartbeat,
the sound of the flow of his breath

I sit
at his bedside
my heart in his hands
his heart in mine
a space of awe, wonder, grief
that knows no bounds 

We sit
together in one more
moment of life
together in this realm
together in the breathing of the body
together in the beating of the heart
together in the melding of the soul
holding
yearning
connecting
transmutating
loving

I sit
with him
one last time.

 I Heard the Forest Laughing©
- by Monique Morimoto Flaherty

 I heard the forest laughing
one of its own has returned….
a keeper of the essence
a container of a soul
 so great
the stars are singing
the wind is whispering his name,
 Kiyo Morimoto….
we welcome you
again. 

Return to the stuff
you are made of
Come back to
the source of it all 

Kiyo Morimoto….
your life
has blessed the world.

The trees are laughing a joyful noise
The stars are shining your name
The wind is carrying your essence
With every chime and clang.

Kiyo Morimoto….
You’ve come home
To stay.

Dad, I love you and thank you for being with me still. 

©2004 All Rights Reserved. Monique Morimoto Flaherty

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