My Story of Not Giving Up on Life

I am able to be happy because of my mother.

I was physically weak, and when I was three years old, I was taken by ambulance to the ICU. I could only see visitors through a window. Until I started elementary school, that kind of hospital life continued many times. Every single day, my mother would stay until the very last minute of visiting hours.

Even so, when it was time for my mother to leave, the three-year-old me would cry, wanting to go home too. Even though the nurses tried to distract me with snacks and toys,
I would cry, saying I didn't want snacks, I wanted to go home. I heard later that my mother would sometimes drive home crying, feeling like her heart was being torn apart.

I was hospitalized again after becoming a middle schooler, and from then until I graduated high school, I was in and out of the hospital repeatedly. For my high school entrance ceremony, the hospital gave me permission to go out just for that. I went from the hospital to the ceremony, and then returned to the hospital...

My high school life got off to a late start right from the beginning.
It was quite far from the normal student life I had imagined for myself.


Even so, partly because I have a competitive nature, I managed to earn my credits without repeating a year, graduated high school, and was able to go straight to university.


That was undoubtedly thanks to my parents.


Worried about my falling behind in my studies, they hired a tutor for me.
Ignoring my worries about how much money was being spent on all these hospitalizations, my parents always tried not to make me feel burdened, saying, "It's okay!"
They really took care of me.

I truly feel that I was a high-maintenance child,
and I think I caused them a lot of worry, both mentally and financially.

In the evenings from my hospital bed, I could hear the happy laughter and energetic chatter of children on their way home from school.

There were times when tears would overflow, and I would think, "Everyone else is so energetic, what am I doing in bed every day? Do I even have a future?"

I only had an inferiority complex toward myself.
Would I be able to go to university or get a job like everyone else?
I felt like I was in a pitch-black tunnel with no end in sight.
In those days, there were no smartphones like there are now. No information came in. I couldn't communicate.
In those days, there were times when the 17-year-old me couldn't look forward.


Perhaps my father, who came to visit after work, saw right through my heart.
He said,
"You don't need to worry about anything. For now, just think about getting your body healed. Don't worry about your studies or school at all. Everyone understands."
"No matter what happens, your mother and I will protect you," he said with a smile.

I don't know how much those words saved me.

I was full of anxiety, it was painful, I was scared, but because of those words, I was able to look forward.

Now, I am in my 40s. I am walking through life on my own two feet. I never thought I would be able to live this long.
I really have to laugh at myself for being so competitive and tenacious.


And now, my mother is 70.
She is still very energetic and has a youthful sensibility,
but I have felt recently, from time to time,
that her physical strength might be declining little by little.

My mother laughs and says, "Every day is Sunday for me!" while doing her favorite gardening, knitting, or going out for lunch with friends.
She declutters the house and enjoys cooking.

Even when I drop by my parents' house, the inside is always surprisingly clean, and every room is sparkling. She has such good taste, and I think, "I really can't beat Mom." She is a genius at enjoying life.

When I see that kind of daily life, I feel relieved and happy,
thinking, "Oh, she is living happily."


What I want to tell you now is, no matter what,
thank you so much for believing in me and protecting me.
Thank you for always being on my side.
I am okay now!


I think it is my turn to support you, Mom, little by little from now on.
And let's make lots of fun memories together.

Last autumn, I took my mother to a sushi restaurant where you can enjoy exquisite sushi while looking out at the ocean spreading across your view from the window.

Seeing my mother look so happy, saying "It's delicious, the view is the best, I'm so happy~♡"
over and over again,
made me want to increase these kinds of moments more and more.
(I have to take Dad next time, too 😊)

I would be happy if we could continue to spend peaceful times together from here on out.
I am so glad I was born as your child.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And, happy 70th birthday!!!!!!
🎊🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎊