English edition

Preparation for a Buddhist memorial service and Christmas presents."

Today is the seventh anniversary memorial service for my father-in-law.

He was a very quiet person.

And I think he was pure and innocent like a child.

We remember him as our children and grandchildren gather.

There are people living alone, those who are married,

Those who are caring for their parents alone,

And those who long for children but remain just a couple.

There are all kinds of people in the world.

Different people live each day in their own way.

There are certainly many people beyond my imagination.

The same Christmas Day comes for everyone, followed by the New Year.

When I was young, I disliked this time of year, the New Year season.

(I still don't quite like it.)

The time when you have to be most aware of family and relatives felt unbearably heavy.

As I grow older, I become less sensitive to these things.

It's not good to be insensitive, but having a certain insensitivity is not bad. (Getting older isn't all bad, I realize.)

Yesterday, I prepared Christmas presents for my three grandchildren.

I used to struggle with Christmas and New Year.

My heart has quietly begun to accept such events. It's a good trend.

I tried doing squats three times, but my left leg feels strangely uncomfortable and a bit painful. It seems my fears have come true. Oh well...

-English edition