The Day My Life Moved Forward. A New Step and the Path Toward My Guide Dog Ojo's Retirement

Good morning, everyone.
Thank you so much for always reading my and Happy Ojo's notes.

The other day, in an article titled "My First Step,"
I wrote about how I was just about to take a new step forward.

And yesterday,
I was finally able to actually take that step.

Yesterday was the day that "two new steps" began for me.

I am writing this article because I wanted to briefly report on that,
and to leave behind just a little bit of how I am feeling right now.

Yesterday, two major "new steps" began to move within me.

One is that the approval for my new office was successfully granted.
It has been decided that I can officially start in a new location from April 1st.

Honestly, I was a little bewildered, thinking, "It's so down to the wire..."
But I am relieved, first and foremost, that we made it in time.

The office I have been with for about five years is finally coming to a close.
It is a precious place that guided me into this world when I didn't know left from right.

This office was where I ended up after I lost my sight, went back to university, earned my qualifications as a certified social worker and mental health social worker,
and thought, "I want to go back out into society and work again."

But at that time, I couldn't work as I had hoped,
and I was starting to lose confidence in myself again, thinking,
"I guess even if I get the qualifications, I can't work if I can't see."

To me, who didn't even know what I could do,
this office said, "Let's start with what you can do."

Days of regaining the feeling of "working" while being entrusted with things I could do, little by little.
And they connected me to the path of becoming a consultation support specialist,

let me earn my qualifications, and allowed me to gain a lot of experience.
The job of a consultation support specialist is a precious job that I could call my "second career change."

It was a place that helped me encounter this work, believed in my desire to "want to do it," supported me, and helped me grow.
And above all, the presence of my "mentor" who supported me by my side.

I am truly grateful that they always pushed me forward, even when I was lost or troubled.
It wasn't just fun things; there were many times I worried and struggled, but

all of that is connected to who I am today.
Being able to grow this far while valuing "working in my own way."

I am truly filled with feelings of gratitude.
That is why I want to properly convey my gratitude and move on to the next step.

And I hope to further cultivate what I have gained in my previous place in my new place, and give back properly.
And, the other "new step."

The movement toward Ojo's retirement has finally begun.

There had been talk of "retiring next fiscal year" before,

but there were times I spent without it feeling real.
But yesterday, I received a call from the training center,

and it was decided that they would conduct interviews and follow-ups regarding future life and the next partner.
It was the moment I felt, "It's finally happening."

Honestly, my feelings are very complicated.

Maybe she's still okay, maybe we can still walk together,
those feelings are somewhere inside me too.
But if I think about Ojo's happiness first,

I also think that preparing properly is an important role I can play.
Toward a happy retirement,

so that she can move on to the next stage with peace of mind.
I want to face it properly without running away.

That said, it is not the end yet.

That is exactly why I want to cherish this time now.

Cherry blossom viewing, Kyoto, Ghibli Park.

I want to continue going to many places with Ojo,
and keep stacking up many scenes and moments together.
The last year.

Without being too sentimental, but carefully, day by day.

While finding many small happinesses, I will run through it firmly.

Thank you for reading to the end this time as well.

There are only a few days left in this fiscal year.
While looking forward to the new step from April, I want to proceed with preparations steadily in the remaining days.

And today too,
tail wagging, feeling cheerful.

I want to spend a happy day with Ojo.