Lessons From Nagisa

Change happens, and even when change happens... the question that remains for us to answer each and every time, can we still love even when things change? In other words, can love be unconditional and therefore transcendent of change? Such, such a powerful question and yet the answer is a destiny-guide. Each choice foretells the next choice until behind you, a path is formed. And you can trace back where love was so easily, because it never would have left.

That was the point. Family, friendship, being together, promises of always being there for each other, the symbolism of the Big Dango Family, the father-son musings... the same point, repeated, over and over and over and over again in a variety of forms. All pointing to the same theme, the importance of love, and not only that, but the prevalence and permanence of love, true love. Love that comes as an orb of light and rises up into the sky. Love that sees through illusions and recognises itself in the spirit of others. Love that saw Nagisa rise through her sickness. Love that gave birth to Ushio. Love that remained even after Tomoya thought Nagisa and Ushio died because of him. Love that transcended the screen on which the Animé played itself out on and called my own love to respond. Love that makes me grateful to have watched Clannad. Love that lives on even after I have finished the series.

Love that reminds me to not let myself sleep and forget, but to rise and remember to spread it and give it all away and watch as the lights multiply. That was the principal lesson from Nagisa. To love. Simple, yet more powerful than these words can convey.