#204 Gratitude for the "Taken for Granted"

When you first meet someone, everything feels brand new and dazzling.
But as the years go by, their presence becomes something you take for granted, and that brilliance fades away.

No, it hasn't actually faded.
Humans, it seems, get used to any kind of brilliance.
No matter how bright something is, over time, it eventually becomes something you take for granted.

However, it is important to keep a heart that is forever grateful for such "taken for granted" things.
I learned that from an elderly couple.

Warmed by a "Thank you"

Yesterday was my bimonthly visit to the nephrology department.
These past two months... I was a bit self-indulgent.
I ate and drank a lot over the New Year holidays.
Also, until recently, the library was in its book inspection period. Since book inspection involves a lot of physical labor, I used that as an excuse to binge-eat Black Thunder chocolate bars.

The test results... they're probably going to be bad...
Carrying that anxiety, I finished the tests and sat in the seat in front of the examination room, waiting for my number to be called with the feeling of a prisoner awaiting execution.

Then, an elderly couple came and sat next to me.
The patient must have been the husband. The wife was assisting him as he leaned on his cane, wobbling as he tried to sit in the seat next to me.
Once the husband finally managed to sit down, he repeatedly said this to his wife.

"Ah, that helps. Thank you, thank you."

When I heard that, it felt like a refreshing breeze blew through my gloomy heart.

Ah, somehow, that's nice.

It's a very ordinary thing, but there's something nice about a couple who have been together for a long time still expressing gratitude to each other.

Warmed by receiving a "Thank you"

As I was feeling warmed, I noticed the elderly couple seemed to be struggling.
When I glanced over to see what was wrong, I saw they were having trouble with where to put their luggage.
We were sitting on a three-person bench. The luggage had to be placed on the floor.
Had they come from somewhere, or were they going somewhere else? For a hospital visit, the couple had a lot of luggage.
No matter how energetic the wife was, it would be difficult for her to pick up luggage placed on the floor.

I stood up and said,
"I'm moving to another seat, so please put your luggage here."

Then, the elderly couple smiled broadly and said,
"Oh, that helps. Thank you very much."

Ah, somehow, that's really nice.

How wonderful it is to be able to be grateful for the ordinary things, no matter who it is.
After that, the elderly couple continued to support each other while sitting in the chairs.

When the husband asked, "Are you okay? Aren't you hot?" the wife replied,
"I'm fine, thank you."

When the husband tried to take off his mask to drink some water, the wife
took it off for him, and the husband said, "Thank you" once again.

As I listened to their "thank yous," the anxiety in my heart dissipated.

Being grateful for the "taken for granted"

Surely, throughout their long life together, this elderly couple has supported each other while being grateful for such ordinary things.
I feel like the longer you are together, the more that kind of thing tends to fade away.
Perhaps a sense of shyness starts to grow there.

However,there are still many things that cannot be understood unless they are expressed.
Taking it for granted that we are together. Taking it for granted when someone does something for us.
Instead of thinking that way,being grateful for the "ordinary" things scattered throughout daily life is likely important, both in life and in human relationships.

I couldn't tell them directly, but I want to take this opportunity to say it.

To the old man and the old woman,
thank you so much for teaching me something important.

A superfluous remark, but an aside.

While still feeling warmed by the moment, my examination number was called.
By then, I had become positive, thinking, "I'll just practice moderation from now on."
However, an unexpected test result was announced.

"There are no abnormalities in your blood sugar or cholesterol levels, andyour kidney function numbers have also improved. Let's keep going like this!"

I felt warmed once again by the doctor's smile and words.
And above all, I felt heartfelt gratitude toward my own body for not taking a turn for the worse.