"Rumi-chan" and "Grandma" - Rumi-chan's side

Grandma's side 1⇐　　　Grandma's side 2⇐

I was raised by Grandma.
By the time I realized it, it was just the two of us living together.
I kept meaning to ask why I was being raised by Grandma, but somehow I never got around to it.
Life with Grandma was so comfortable that such things didn't even bother me.

Grandma had what you might call an 'Edo-born' temperament, and her favorite saying was, 'Don't ever do anything that would be a nuisance to others.'

I had no particular merits, but Grandma was always so happy when I got good grades on tests. That's why I worked hard at my studies, because I wanted to make Grandma happy.

When I was accepted into a difficult university, Grandma shed tears. I learned then that people can cry even when they are happy.
'When I graduate from university, I'll pay you back for everything, Grandma.'
When I said that, she laughed through her tears and replied, 'What are you talking about? I won't be a burden to you, Rumi-chan.'

When I returned home after the entrance ceremony, Grandma was sleeping in the living room.
But Grandma never woke up again.
True to her own words, Grandma left without being a burden to anyone.

Grandma had left behind enough money for me to graduate from university. So, I decided to work hard at my studies for Grandma's sake as well.

One day in my second year of university, I suddenly couldn't keep going. No matter how hard I studied, there was no one there to be happy for me. Even though I told myself Grandma must be watching over me from somewhere, my heart was screaming.

The doctor told me to take a break from university for a while.
The doctor told me it would be better to live with someone. Apparently, the illness gets worse if you are alone. I think that's true.

That day was clear and sunny, and it was pleasantly warm. I felt a bit better, so I decided to go for a bit of a trip.
When I happened to pass by a certain facility, I peeked into the garden without thinking, and I felt like I had made eye contact with Grandma. When I looked closer, I realized she wasn't Grandma, but to me, she looked like Grandma.
I rushed into the facility and begged the staff to let me into the garden.
I ran up to Grandma and hugged her tightly without thinking. Once I hugged her, I was convinced that she was Grandma.
I asked the staff if I could take Grandma home and live with her.
Apparently, the staff were surprised that Grandma, who was usually quick to anger, didn't get mad even when hugged by me, a total stranger.
The staff emphasized to me that she was extremely old, blind in one eye, a picky eater, hated baths, was starting to get senile and having accidents, and was prone to temper tantrums—it would be very difficult, they said.

There were many troublesome procedures, but if I could live with Grandma, none of that bothered me at all. And so, we agreed to try it for one month first, and if it didn't work out, I would return her to the facility, and I was able to start living with Grandma.

And so, life with me and Grandma began again.
From the very beginning, I had no intention of returning Grandma to the facility, no matter how difficult it got.
Grandma certainly had her likes and dislikes when it came to food, but when I made an effort to make it easier for her to eat, she ate quite a bit.
Grandma hated baths, so I wiped her body down every day.

Once I started living with Grandma, I was suddenly able to go to university again.
When I came home, Grandma was there. I was often tired and would fall asleep, but it was comforting to have Grandma by my side.
Even if I overslept and dinner was late, Grandma never got angry and waited for me. The facility staff said Grandma was prone to temper tantrums, but she never once got angry at me.

Perhaps because of her age, Grandma was an early riser, and it became my daily routine to wake up early with her and go for a walk.
Walking slowly with Grandma, who walked slowly, I could feel my heart getting healthier and healthier.
Thanks to Grandma, I fully recovered and was able to graduate from university, even if it took me twice as long as others.

One day, he, whom I had been passing by and exchanging greetings with every morning on our walks, proposed to me.
I made living with Grandma a condition of our marriage. He said that was his intention all along, and that he would help me take care of Grandma.
After we were married, he kept his promise.

For our honeymoon, we looked for a place where Grandma could come along. I didn't care at all about going to some trendy foreign country. He, of course, completely agreed.
To make sure Grandma wouldn't get tired, we rented a car and chose a place that wasn't too far away.

The inn we arrived at had a large, lovely garden, and it felt just like being in a foreign country. The air was clear, and when I took a deep breath, I felt like my whole body had come back to life.
Grandma hated baths, so she didn't go into the hot springs, but she seemed to like the footbath, and she looked like she was relaxing slowly while gazing at the garden.
I was glad we could all come together. We made another good memory.

Before long, I gave birth to a baby.
The baby was a very energetic boy, and he cried a lot, regardless of whether it was the middle of the night. He helped with the care, but I wanted to do my best so as not to be a burden on his work.

But I think I was exhausted too. One pleasantly warm day, while I was doing laundry, I fell asleep with the baby on my lap.
I woke up to the sound of him coming home and saying, 'I'm home.'
Then I saw the window facing the garden was open, and Grandma was gone. Oh no. Once before, Grandma had wandered outside. Since then, I had been careful to lock the front door securely... Grandma, though she doesn't say it, worries about being a burden to me. Today, seeing that I was tired, she must have thought it was her fault and left.

My heart felt like it was breaking. I felt so sorry for Grandma that tears came to my eyes. He said, 'It's okay. I know where Grandma is likely to go. I'll go find her.'

Before long, he brought Grandma back. 'Just as I thought, she was on the way to the facility.'
Grandma tried to say something, looking apologetic, but I interrupted her, hugged her, and apologized. 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' I couldn't say anything more, and I just sobbed. Because I was crying so hard, the baby started crying along with me.
I was so glad Grandma was safe. I was truly glad.

From then on, it seemed like Grandma was trying to be of some use to me. She would always sleep next to the baby, and when the baby cried, she would pat his tummy as if to say 'there, there,' and soothe him with toys.
She didn't have to be so considerate; I was happy just having Grandma there. But Grandma must have been worried, thinking she was a burden to me. I thought that if it put Grandma's mind at ease, that was the best thing.
I said, 'It helps that you watch the baby, Grandma. Thank you,' every day.

When the baby became a three-year-old child, Grandma lost the sight in her other eye as well. She also became unable to get up.
I wanted Grandma, who had saved me, to live much, much longer.
We watched over Grandma every day.

That day was a clear, pleasantly warm morning, just like the day I met Grandma.
Grandma had an expression that looked like she was feeling good.
When I peered into Grandma's face, I heard Grandma's voice for the first time in a long while, a really long while.

'Woof.'

Grandma barked in a small voice.
To me, it sounded like she was saying thank you.
Grandma's breathing stopped quietly.

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