~:[CH11 - Day 189]:~ Music in My Heart

 
~:[CH11 - Day 189]:~ Music in My Heart

The day didn't start with good news. As I explored around the National Stadium and headed towards Asakusa, I heard the news of the assassination of former PM Abe. Strangely, I was a station away from where the shooting happened a few weeks ago and a few minutes from the house of the shooter when visiting Nara. It was a pain to think about the senseless killing that we've experienced at home also coming to a place where guns are not allowed. Even in the place where you least expected it to happen, it could happen, which is a reminder to live each moment to the fullest. As I think back through this trip, I wasn't sure how I would fill up a month other than the work that I did and now looking back, I realized that I may have needed a few more weeks. I've been treated so well in almost ever moment that I was here and was glad to reunite with so many people while making a large group of new friends and acquaintances. As I finished up my last shoot, I ventured over to meet Paruchan and hear my final performance before I left. As she sang, I didn't know all the words that she was singing, but you could feel the music uplifting me as I recollected all the great moments that came throughout this trip. It was weird to be standing in the middle of a square in a place so foreign, but feeling as if I was where I should be at that very moment. My heart was full as I said by goodbyes. My friend stopped by and hung out for a bit before I had to pack up and go to sleep, but as I laid my head down, I already knew that I was living the dream. There is so much work left to do when I return, but for now, I know that I will head back with music flowing through my veins.. I wish I could extend this trip for another day, week, month or even year, but at this very moment, I am content. It was a bittersweet day between the news and departure versus the precious memories created, but knowing I made the most of every moment allows me to leave with that music in my heart. Farewell Japan, it's been incredible.