Parting and Succession
Autumn. Harold passed away quietly. At his funeral, people gathered seated on the bench he had repaired. I hung his photo on the workshop wall and placed that clock beside it gently. On the back was a small engraving: “Use your time well.” The English words resonated deeper within my heart than Japanese ever could.
We repainted the sign, writing “Greene Workshop by Sidewalk Helpers.” The donation box is transparent. The ledger is posted on the wall. We don’t lie, we don’t make promises we can’t keep. Broken ramps, loose handrails, chipped curbs. Roads can be fixed. People’s hearts, probably too. Our work is visible.
