A White Reprieve
Today the city is masked with snow. It’s falling quietly and I watch the rooftops turn white from my perch on the 11th floor. Both Mt. Takao in the forefront and Mt. Fuji behind are hidden today. I know they are there. I know the park only a 20-minute walk away is there and yet the sky is white and I cannot see beyond a few city blocks. I should feel cold. Snow is cold after all. Instead there is a cozy warmth to the way the white envelops everything around me. It is a welcome simplicity. Sometimes the view in front of us, full of expectation and opportunity is overwhelming. The snow covers it all up for a few hours. I know it is all there and yet I have permission to see a clean, white slate. A white reprieve. I take a deep breath and focus only on that which is right in front of me.
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About the Author:
Hi! I’m Marci. I’ve lived in Japan for over 30 years, blending tech, language, and healing in my work. Through caregiving for my father-in-law with Alzheimer’s and supporting my husband’s cancer recovery, I discovered the importance of yoyu—having the time, energy, and emotional reserves to thrive. Now, I share these insights through writing, coaching, and creative projects. My upcoming memoir, Otosan, tells the story of those five transformative years. Let’s connect and create more yoyu in our lives!
