My body has always been my ally.

Thanks to everyone's support, my cancer screening went well.

It has been three years since my colon cancer surgery.

By choosing not to undergo chemotherapy, I spent some time feeling anxious back then, but now I am able to look forward with a calm heart.

Looking back, so many things have happened over these past three years.

And since I started using note, I have encountered many people's writings, and each time, my heart has been saved.

I have felt empathy, been encouraged, and sometimes even shed tears.

I realize once again how much I have been supported by so many people.

Recently, I have started to become more conscious of taking care of myself, and my actions have changed as well.

For example, when I feel a little cold.

The old me might have thought,

“I’ve already reached the bottom of the apartment building, so I’ll just put up with it,”

and gone out just like that.

But now,

I think, “No, no, that is the most important thing,”

and I go back to my room to get a jacket.

It is a really small thing.

But recently, I have come to want to cherish such small things.

Having had cancer, I learned once again the importance of my body.

My body has been working for me twenty-four hours a day without rest.

It has lived with me through happy times and painful times alike.

And it is an ally that never betrays me, no matter what.

Come to think of it, while working at a supplement store, I told customers these words for a long time:

“Please take care of your body.”

“Your body is your best ally.”

These were words I said as if they were obvious.

But perhaps, without realizing it, I hadn't been directing that obvious truth toward myself.

The other day, I suddenly stroked my own head.

Then, tears overflowed in a way that felt mysterious.

“Mari-chan, you’ve worked so hard.”

Those words naturally came to my mind.

I think I was a little too hard on myself.

I have to work harder.

I have to endure more.

I have to be stronger.

I have been driving myself forward like that.

But in truth, I have been working hard all along, haven't I?

I overcame illness.

I continued to work.

Before I knew it, I had overcome many things to get here.

Now that I have finished my cancer screening, I feel it once again.

Listening to my own voice.

I think that is what it means to take care of myself.

While being grateful to the body that supports me today, I want to continue to cherish each and every day.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Your likes and comments are always a real source of encouragement for me😊🌸