I will never turn back !

Yesterday, I met Kyoko who lives in Ehime, Shikoku. We worked together more than 10 years ago at the same division because she was sent to our ministry as a trainee from the local government. Since we were young in our 30s and we worked very hard to promote 3R policies (Reducing, Reuse, and Recycling waste), as well as enjoy eating out and traveling in our private time. She is younger than me, so I think she is like my sister. After she returned to Ehime, I was very surprised that she married a man, Tetsu, whom I had known very well, because he was another trainee working in our division. Even my desk was next to hers, but I had never been aware she had fallen in love with him.

When I sent an e-mail to inform her that I had breast cancer and would enter the hospital to have an operation, she was shocked and kindly said that she would like to come to meet me as soon as possible. However, I was not confident in my health around that period to make a promise to meet, and I asked her to extend our meeting date. Because I wanted to meet her after getting back my strength as well as the pace of my life, and have nice meals and wine then !

Finally the day had come. I recommended the best restaurant in my town (I believe) and asked Kyoko to reserve it. Kyoko, her husband Tetsu, and I had a fabulous lunch together. We could reminisce about days more than 10 years ago at an instance, when we shared a lot of memories. We were younger and full of ambition to promote 3R policies in Japan ! Since the red wine which the restaurant served tasted great, I had another glass and thought I was happy to have survived cancer and felt the pleasure to live in the present.

After lunch, we went to karaoke near the station, and we sang songs for nearly 3 hours without a break. First I sang “Jidai”, “The Times” in English, which was one of the masterpieces of Miyuki Nakajima. When I was diagnosed with cancer and felt as if I was in the bottom of the world, the song saved me and gave me hopes. The song told us that the time would come when we would be able to tell about the hardest times with a smile as one of our memories. Tetus is a great fan of Miyuki, so we requested many of her songs. Kyoko and I like Maria Takeuchi. Mariya is older than us and admired by our generation. Mariya never shows her real age in her appearance and voice, as if she is a witch, and attracts women of various ages. When I was younger, I liked her songs which told stories about forbidden love affairs. The more the heroine in the songs loved her man, the more sorrows and pains would follow. However, the heroine was always pure and honest in her love, so I wanted to stand by her.  

After recovering from disease, I have become to like to sing her songs which give me encouragement to live positively. So yesterday I chose “Color, White Blend.” Especially, I like a part of the lyrics, which are “I will never turn back, because tomorrow is waiting for me.”

There are many songs in the world which have special powers to give people hope, encouragement, sympathy, sorrow, anger, and joy. Such songs can live in our heart and be handed down forever.

Now, we can bring our favorite songs anytime and anywhere by using technologies such as iPod, etc. However, I like my younger days, when I listened to the records while sitting in front of the stereo and making my own original recorded-tapes. I was  imagining the situations in which I was driving with a boy friend while listening to the tapes. I am already an old type of woman, ain’t I ?

Anyway, we had a pleasant time and promised to meet soon again. I thanked the God and my doctor who saved my life as well as give me many bright hopes to live.

コメント 2

First of All, it is very nice to connect with you again through linkedin, and found your home on internet.

It is very nice essay. I like it. And I am very sad to know you got sick, however I am also very glad to know that you are a winner to fight the disease. Congratulations.

I wish you will have a fruitful new year. お大事に！
by Junhong Han (2011-12-31 06:15) 

Han sensei, oh! my God. how are you ?

Thank you for your sending your comment to my blog.
I remember that the last time I contacted you was in summer 2007 when I planned to travel to Xi’an, your home town. I went there and found that it was a great city. Thanks to your teaching me Chinese, I enjoyed conversation there with local people.

I am happy to know that you are still studying at Mayo Clinic in US as a successful researcher.

Please let me know more about you, and I will contact you with Linkedin soon !

Lastly, I wish you a Happy New Year

Yuko
by yuko-san (2011-12-31 15:09)