One Year

We just passed the 1-year mark of Daihachi’s suicide.

Ten days later, exactly a year since Daihachi’s memorial, I ran 20 miles. It was my longest training run for the upcoming 2025 NYC Marathon and the longest length I’ve ever completed in my life.

I can’t believe it’s been a year without Daihachi’s comforting slaps on the back, ugly-face-laughter sessions, you-should-listen-to-this music lessons, depressing morning chats, niece shoulder rides, and countless “what movie” moments.

During this mournful year, we’ve raised close to $130,000 in Daihachi’s memory. What a crazy number. Thanks to all of your donations on DaihachiMemorial.com and my Samaritans NYC Marathon page, we are able to support young filmmakers’ dreams through AAIFF and help young people navigate their suicidal thoughts through Samaritans’ HeySam texting service. Words can’t capture my gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you.

Now that the year marker is behind me, along with the peak of the grueling training, I’m honestly a bit drained. Planning for Daihachi’s interment in his final resting place, which happened on the 1-year mark, provided respite from the sadness of not having my brother around. Now it’s back with full force right in time for taper period when I don’t have my runs to exhaust my body to match my restless mind.

What has gotten me through these rough few weeks has been the many messages of love and care that my family and I have received. From “Symphonies” in the autumnal zendo to the countless “let us know your bib number - we can’t wait to cheer you on”, I feel like the love for Daihachi and Daihachi’s love for his circle has been saturating my days and vibrating around in the universe.

November 2nd will be full of amazing people who will come out to support their loved ones whether they’re running in or watching the marathon.

Please let me know if and where you’ll be on the course. You can track me on the NYRR app with my bib number 63771.

I can’t wait to see some of your lovely faces. I’ll proudly be wearing Daihachi’s name across my chest in my new shirt.

Thank you all, once again, for your generous donations, thoughtful words of encouragement, and loving memories of Daihachi.

"Light as a feather when I’m floating through…"

63771 - Let’s Go!

Love,
Sakura