In The Presence

Posted by Mike Cash (Kiryu, Japan) on 5 August 2009 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

A very nice old lady and the first person I've ever seen at a shrine in Japan who prayed like they really meant it and spent some time at it. She remained for quite a few minutes engaged not only in praying, but in a subdued yet animated conversation with God....or god....or the 神....or whatever is or is not there to be prayed to.

She walked up and spoke to me prior to starting her prayer session and we talked about ten or fifteen minutes. I learned that in 2003 she was involved in an auto accident and was banged up so badly she was in danger of having both of her legs and both of her arms amputated. Two and a half weeks later she left the hospital with all limbs still attached and today she walks better than a lot of people her age, which I would guess to be between 70 and 80. Someone told her that her recovery was nothing short of a miracle, and now she happily spends her days visiting various shrines around the area and giving thanks. Such is the story she told to me.

1959 Konica S
DNP Centuria 200

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