That's the stuff you put in a mug, right?

There are a few middle-aged ladies at my workplace.

Among them is T-ko, who is a bit impatient and has a nice, laid-back vibe.

When I told her about taking a yuzu bath on the winter solstice,

T-ko said, "My kids didn't like yuzu baths, you know."
"But I once put a yuzu bath pack I got from someone into the tub."

"I looked at the instructions,"
"and it said, 'Pour 150ml of hot water into a cup.'" "Haha!"

I said, "That's way too much water, haha."

That's just how she is,

a bit impatient and with a nice, laid-back vibe.

Also, one morning,

I told her, "T-ko, you've got snow piled up on your head again, haha."

And T-ko replied, "Oh my! Oh no! Haha!" "It's the hair mousse!"

Things like that happen regularly.

She herself, regarding this personality of hers,

T-ko says, "I'm sorry, I'm so scatterbrained." "I'm sure I won't change, haha."

Since she fully accepts her own personality,

even when I tease her by saying,

"It's stable and unchanging, which is reassuring, haha,"

she just laughs it off.

T-ko says, "I'll be a bother, but I'm counting on you, haha."

She replies so cheerfully.

I really think
that such wonderful people have gathered here.

They are all older than my own mother.

They clearly understand that they are at an age where they can do fewer things,
and they accept that.

When they can't do something,
they bow their heads and say, "I can't do this, could you please help me?"

They have likely worked at this current job for over 30 years,
yet they never flaunt their status.

Their attitude of praising me by saying,
"It's so reassuring to have you here"

makes me feel like they are showing me through their own actions
how to grow older gracefully.

They understand their own personalities
and carry themselves with that self-acceptance.

When I have lived the other half of my life,
I hope to reach this level,
so I will firmly follow T-ko's lead.