【初めてのお盆】母との思い出を胸に、私たちなりの過ごし方/Our First Obon — Honoring My Mother in Our Own Way

はじめに：母が旅立って初めて迎えるお盆

実家では昨年、母が亡くなってから初めて迎えるお盆です

これまでは父の実家が遠く、母は天涯孤独だった為

全然、お盆の準備をしてなかったけど、今年は私と我が子、

だけで実家に来てます

いつもやったら母も一緒に流しそうめんしたりで騒がしい夏やけど、

ふとした瞬間に寂しさも感じたりもします

前回のブログがイベントの記事だったから情緒どうなってるねん

って思われる方も居るとは思いますが・・・・

いたって平常運転です

さて、今回は私たちなりの方法で母を迎えようと思って準備を軽くしてます

１．無理をしない

普通お盆は、特別な準備をしたり、親戚が集まったり…っていう

イメージがあるかもしれませんが、今回は特にこれといったことをしていません

ただ、母がいないことで、私や父がそれぞれどんな気持ちでいるか、

我が子と母の思い出を話したりする時間が、一番大切な供養かなって思ってます

２．父と二人で酌み交わす、夜の晩酌

家で全くお酒を飲まない私ですけど、

実家に帰ったら父と二人で晩酌をしてます

昨日は母の友達も来てて一緒に焼肉をして

良いんか悪いんかは知らんけど母にも供えました

しょうもない話をしたり、アホな話したり・・・

きっと母も、そんな私たちの姿を見て『アハハ』って笑ってるんちゃうかな？って

思ってます

３．きゅうりで精霊馬は作るけど…

お盆っていったら、きゅうりとナスで精霊馬を作るってイメージやけど
(日本の風習を大事にしてる人は回れ右してください
愚弄してると思うので((+_+)))

今年は、母に「早く帰ってきてほしい」という気持ちを込めて、

きゅうりで精霊馬を2頭作ってみようかなと考えてます

本当はナスで精霊牛も作るのを知ってるけど、

野菜が高いし、今回は馬に活躍してもらおうと思って・・・なんて

もしかしたら「精霊馬2頭じゃアカン！」って言う人が大半やろうけど、

これが今の私たちの思いと、精霊馬や精霊牛がなくたって

母への気持ちは大切に心にあるから、これでいいって思ってます

形じゃなくて気持ちが大切

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キュウリの精霊馬の作り方

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まとめ：母との思い出を胸に、我が家のお盆の過ごし方

母が亡くなって初めてのお盆

寂しい気持ちはもあるけど、父や我が子と、ゆっくりと母を想う時間を

過ごすことができてる

お盆の風習も、完璧にこなすことより、故人を想う気持ちが

何より一番大切やと今回の経験を通して感じてます

このお盆が、私たち家族にとって、母を偲ぶ温かい時間になるよう

そして、皆さんも大切な人を思いながら、

それぞれの形で素敵なお盆を過ごせますように

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Introduction: The first Obon since my mother’s passing

This summer marks the first Obon since my mother passed away last year.

In the past, because my father’s family lived far away and my mother had no relatives,

we never really prepared for Obon.

But this year, it’s just me and my child visiting my parents’ home.

Usually, summer would be lively with my mother joining us for things like

flowing somen noodles, but now,

there are quiet moments when I suddenly feel her absence.

Some of you might be thinking,

“Wasn’t your last blog post about a fun event?

What’s going on with your emotions?”

Don’t worry—it’s business as usual for me.

This time, we’ve decided to welcome my mother in our own simple way.

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1. Not overdoing it

For many people, Obon means preparing something

special or gathering with relatives.

But this year, we’re not doing anything particularly elaborate.

Instead,

I believe the most important way to honor her is simply to share time with my child,

talking about memories of my mother and reflecting on how my father and

I each feel about her absence.

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2. Evening drinks with my father

I never drink at home, but when I visit my parents’ house,

I have an evening drink with my father.

Yesterday, one of my mother’s friends came over, and

we had a yakiniku dinner together.

I’m not sure whether it’s the “right” thing to do or not,

but we also offered some to my mother.

We talked about silly things, cracked jokes, and just had fun…

I like to think my mother was watching us and laughing along with an “Ahaha.”

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3. Making cucumber shōryō-uma (spirit horses)

When you think of Obon,

you might picture the traditional cucumber horse and eggplant cow.

(If you hold these customs sacred, you might want to skip this part

—some may see it as irreverent ((+_+)))

This year,

I want to make two cucumber shōryō-uma for my mother,

with the wish that she will “come home quickly.”

I do know that the eggplant cow is traditionally made to help the spirits return slowly,

but with vegetable prices being high this year, we’ll just let the horses do all the work.

Some people might say,

“Two spirit horses? That’s not right!”

But for me, what matters most is not whether we have the full set

—it’s the feelings we hold in our hearts for my mother.

It’s not about the form—it’s about the heart.

How to Make a Cucumber Shōryō-uma (Spirit Horse)(I’ll upload photos of the one I made later.)

(Update: Spirit Horse)

In our family, we decorated it with paprika and made it

so our ancestors could enjoy the carrots and relax.

I didn’t know what to do with the shōryō-uma (spirit horse) or

shōryō-ushi (spirit cow) afterward,

so I asked Kyle.

So, in my family’s case, I think we’ll be burying ours in the soil.

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Summary: Spending Obon with my family, cherishing my mother’s memory

This is our first Obon since my mother passed away.

Although there is still sadness,

I’ve been able to spend quiet, meaningful time with my father and my child,

thinking about her.

Through this experience,

I’ve realized that when it comes to Obon traditions,

what matters most isn’t performing every custom perfectly—

it’s the feeling of remembrance for the loved one who has passed.

I hope this Obon becomes a warm,

healing time for our family to honor my mother’s memory,

and I hope that you, too, can spend your Obon in your own way,

remembering those who are dear to you.