The few days I spent with my mother-in-law, and thoughts on my future life
My mother-in-law came from Kyushu to visit our home in the Kanto region.
The purpose was to accompany my brother-in-law, who is in a facility in Tohoku, to a hospital visit.
Because he requires ongoing medical support, she stayed at our home for a few days as a transit point while she and my husband headed there.
To be honest, I sometimes feel a sense of strain in my relationship with my husband.
However, I have a great deal of respect for my mother-in-law.
(Of course, I respect my husband as well.)
In fact, there are moments when I think, "Thanks to this person, I am somehow able to continue this marriage."
My mother-in-law is 72 years old.
Two years ago, she said goodbye to my father-in-law, who had dementia.
Having finally been released from the caregiving life that lasted about five years, she says she is now gradually taking care of her own body while attending hot yoga.
My children seemed very happy that she came to visit this time.
I also felt like I was able to relax a little and do housework for the first time in a while.
She gave me loquat leaf tea as a souvenir.
From there, the conversation naturally turned to natural remedies.
"I've heard that in the old days, people would soak loquat leaves in shochu and use the extract to heal ailments."
Hearing that, I said,
"I've read about that in a book on natural remedies!"
When I opened the relevant page of the book I had on hand and we read it together, our conversation became lively as she said,
"That's it, that's it."
When I mentioned, "I've actually thought about wanting a loquat tree," she even taught me how loquat trees grow.
Also, regarding the cream my mother-in-law was using, I asked,
"Could this be the scent of frankincense?"
She replied with a hint of surprise,
"You have a good nose."
Actually, I earned an aroma certification over 10 years ago, and since I smelled scents quite a bit back then, there are some I still remember today.
I still love aromatherapy, so I often smell samples, buy a little here and there, and enjoy it as a hobby.
My mother-in-law says she is learning about aromatherapy and how to take care of her body from her hot yoga instructor.
I felt happy that I could understand that conversation properly and that our talk flowed so naturally.
Over the past few years, I have been learning little by little about natural remedies, herbs, aromatherapy, fermentation, and growing plants.
I felt that perhaps those things are truly accumulating within me.
The realities of caregiving, illness, and family life are not easy.
But even in the midst of that, I believe that small daily practices—like enjoying scents, taking care of the body through yoga, or nourishing the body through food—can support a person.
These past few days were not just a "family visit," but also a time that gave me the opportunity to gently think about how I want to age.
I hope to continue to cherish and accumulate the things I am learning little by little and the things I am trying out in my daily life at my own pace.
#Family
#TimeWithMotherInLaw
#Caregiving
#Dementia
#NaturalRemedies
#Aromatherapy
#Frankincense
#LoquatLeaves
#OrganizingLife
#HowToAge