Yuki grows up strong and capable, and Shizuko has encouraged her daughter to be bold. Yuki fights boys and studies piano and she is also an outstanding student. Shizuko writes in her suicide note,

"I do not do this rashly, but after much consideration. This is the best for all of us. Please do not feel guilty in any way. What has happened is entirely my responsibility. This is the best for myself as well as for you. I am almost happy at this last hour and wish you to be. In spite of this, please believe I love you. People will tell you that I've done this because of I do not love you. Don't listen to them. When you grow up to be a strong women, you will know that this was for the best. My only

When she looks out at the garden Shizuko planted Yuki sees it is unchanged and filled with irises, columbines, chrysanthemums, and violas. The legacy Shizuko has passed on to Yuki is both visible and invisible, in the garden and in memory. Despite her grief, Yuki continues as the brilliant and accomplished person she was before her mother's suicide: president of her class, track star, outstanding student, and all this in the face of the increasing hostility of Hanae and the neglect of her father. Within two years, Yuki is already able to say that her mother died because she was unhappy. At fourteen, Yuki realizes her own strength and does nothing to dampen it. Yuki is growing as a person. Yuki remembers the conversation she had with her mother in the garden. Shizuko asks Yuki if she mind s going to a new school. Yuki responds to her mother and says that she is not afraid of anyone. Yuki says, "I don't care. I can take care of myself. I'm not afraid of anyone." (Mori 34) Shizuko also asks Yuki what she would do if something happen to her. Yuki responds and says that she will probably forget about her someday.

concern now is that you will be the first to find me. I'm sorry. Call your father at work and let him take care of everything. You are a strong person; you will no doubt get over this and be brilliant women. Don't let me stop or delay you. I love you." (Mori 6)

It is not until after the three-year anniversary marking her mother's death that Yuki is able to reveal the pain she has held inside. In the beginning she can only express anger. She refuses to perform the rituals of her ancestors respect at her grandmother's Buddhist altar, Yuki exclaims, "How can I respect someone who was cowardly enough to kill herself?" With her grandfather's collapse Yuki's tight reserve breaks down, and she reveals the complex emotions that have burdened her: grief at being unable to help her mother out of her unhappiness, sorrow, loss, guilt, and anger, "I get mad at everything and everyone, even you. I don't know what for." Once she has unburdened herse

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hanae Yuki, Aunt Aya, Shizuko Yuki, Shizuko Yuki's, Shizuko Hideki, Hideki Hanae's, Yuki Okundo, Kyoki Mori, Shizuko's Daughter, mother's memory, yuki able, memories mother yuki, bold yuki, yuki responds, mother yuki, memories mother, aunt aya, mother's suicide, wedding day, garden shizuko,
Approximate Word count = 1402
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)