《英訳》「天国のあなたへ」（『日本一心のこもった恋文』より）

"A love letter to you from downstairs"

It's been over half a century since I waved that small rising sun on you with your daughter on my shoulders. I could only enjoy being wrapped around your strong arms for a very short moment.

My darling,

You've been a departed spirit since the age of thirty two. So how have you been?

I'd love to just get on to a spacecraft to be with you, side by side. You will be a thirty two year-old youth. And I will be celebrating my eightieth birthday. I hope you'd recognize me and dare not ask me who I am. Instead, please say "welcome" and just let me sit by your side, like old times.

My darling,

When I see you, I'll be chatting about many things--about your daughter's family, your grand children, and all the good times we spent together, and just hope that you will be very sweet to me. You will be nodding a lot, gently, consoling me, and praising me for all I have done in my life. 

And then you will take me to your own version of "our park", where we will be greeted by the fascinating cherry blossoms in the Spring, the charming glare of the fresh green in the Summer, the alluring maples in the Fall, and the whitest of the white snows free of any impurities in the Winter. And we will just stroll down the timeless park, embracing all seasons, holding each other's hands.

My darling,

Since you parted from me, I've always thought about you, holding onto my love for you to survive this life. Just for once, if I ever land in your arms again and fall asleep with you, please just hold me tight and don't ever let me go again. Okay?

Mrs. T.Y (80), Akita Prefecture, Japan

Translated by: Office BALÉS

Comment: posted on Wall Street Journal article: Vote: Should the World Increase its Reliance on Nuclear Energy?

For some reason my comment doesn't go through so I posted it here:
This is my comment to WSJ article asking for a vote:

The overwhelming support for increased reliance on nuclear power probably comes from the false assumption that nuclear power is more clean, safe, reliable, and can help reduce reliance on the volatile Middle East oil.
Wrong assumption.
The 3-11 Fukushima incident has shown the world that without proper safety measures and countermeasures nuclear power can be more deadly than any other power source and more unreliable when it is faced with natural disaster. The destructive power of radioactive contamination is becoming clearer by the day as did the Chernobyl. A global oceanic contamination is now a materialized concern that would affect fisheries worldwide.
After 3-11 The Swiss government has decided to quit using nuclear power by 2030. So did Japan. The US government has decided to quit constructing more plants. The reasons? Safety, reliability, and economic efficiency. A nuclear accident can cost governments far more to compensate than to operate. Reduced reliance to oil is a myth because oil imports are necessary to run the nuclear power plants. So the more power plants you build, the more reliance on oil.
Nuclear power must become a thing of the past. Human ingenuity should be able to overcome the deadlock of the myth of "safe, reliable, and affordable" energy, which was shattered into pieces through Fukushima. The world should learn from it.