Page 144 - Amechanon_vol1_2016-18

Amechanon, Vol. I / 2016-2018, ISSN: 2459-2846

The «living memory body of the dead person»

The first theme of the discussions can be identified as «the living memory body of the dead

person».

«Although the body of my relative is not here and I know it», said one of the girls, «I
feel that the memory‘s body of him – namely, all the memory’s pieces, all these
pieces of memory are actually a kind of body. What kind of body? This is a body that
continues to live. I feel that I carry with me the same body of memories that has

been transformed to me through a process that began during the life of my relative
and is continuing now after her death».

The vital need to continue communicating with this living memory body is reflected in the

words of one of the children:

«My relative died and I feel a strong need to keep on communicating with him. Of
course, I can go to his grave and talk to his gravestone, but that’s not the same
experience. Life, and in this case the life of my memories also goes on even if there’s
a gravestone. My life and my relative’s life were connected and his life was – and

still is – part of my life, so that the grave doesn’t end my life and in this sense it’s
not the end of his body. Maybe it ended his life. A few days ago, I asked myself,
“Does my life end with my relative’s death” and another question was “Can I end

the part of my life the moment my relative died”. My answer was very clear and so
I find myself speaking to him. I feel that my relative see me every day. I feel his look
focused on me and I know that he is present here, even if I ask myself sometimes if
I’m hallucinating. I know that I am not hallucinating. I feel his body. It is strange but

this is my feeling. I know that he is not here but in a way, he is. I can give an example
that sometimes I walk in the school hallway and my relative is there next to me.
That gives me a lot of confidence. If I talk with those around me about it, maybe

they’ll think I’m crazy».

Referring to the memorial site, said the child:

«I’m afraid that I’ll forget you. So when I come here [to the site], I feel at
ease. Maybe you also see these words. Who can prove that you don’t see

this? And anyway, what does it matter?».

144