My third eldest son graduated from high school

On March 1, my third eldest son graduated from Hita high school.
The graduation ceremony was held in the gymnasium. Before the graduation ceremony started, I had read various congratulation messages on the wall. From ex-teachers, some lawmakers, some special schools' principals,and some junior high school principals.
In those messages I noticed a letter from Mrs. Tomimats, who was the late principal Mr.Tomimatsu's wife. Last June he had passed away after a boy student was passed away in May.
In her letter she apologized graduates for her husband’s sudden death made them upset. And she congratulated their graduation, hoped them pursue their ends. The letter was impressed. She should be still in deep sadness, but she send them congratulation. I couldn't say anything. I hoped her accept my condolences on her husband's death.
Also in the address of representative of graduates, he talked about the two, late boy student and the ex-principal. He said he would never forget them.
I n those days, I had heard from my daughter about the school song all students sang taking their farewell of their principal on the day his body left school on the way to his home from the hospital. It had reminded me the silent salute to Mr. Keating in "DEAD POETS SOCIETY".
After the graduation ceremony the last home room activity was held for about an hour and half. Many parents took part in.
The students seemed very happy after they had spent a year together. They said "See you again!" each other.

3 月1日、３番目の倅が日田高を卒業した。卒業式が体育館であった。式が始まる前に壁に貼ってあったいろいろな祝辞を読んだ。以前勤めていた先生から、政治家から、専門学校長から、中学の校長からなど。その中で富松夫人、富松前校長の奥様からの手紙に気がついた。昨年５月に男子生徒がなくなったあと６月に亡くなった。
　その手紙の中で、奥様は卒業生たちに、夫の突然の死で混乱させたことを謝り、卒業を祝い、それぞれの目標に向かっていってほしいと言っていた。とても心を打つ手紙だった。ご自身がまだ深い悲しみの中だろうに、それにもかかわらずおめでとうと言葉を送ってくれた。何と言っていいのか。夫君のご冥福を祈りたい。
　それに、卒業生代表の答辞でも二人のことを話した。亡くなった生徒さんと前校長先生のことはずっと忘れません、と。
　当時、娘から、校長先生のご遺体が病院から自宅へ帰る途中、学校を出ていかれるとき、生徒全員で校歌を歌ってお見送りしたと聞いた。それは『いまを生きる』の中のキーティング先生への静かな敬礼を思い出させた。
　卒業式のあと、最後のホームルームが約１時間半行われた。たくさんの保護者が一緒にいた。生徒たちはこの１年間を一緒に過ごせて嬉しそうに見えた。「またな」と言い交わしていた。

4 March 2012