Shukoh Topics 2010
Let's walk together. ~ In an aging society~
Shukoh middle school
5M3 Ｋanae Nemoto
Do you have things that you want to tell to an important person? Please listen to my story while thinking of him or her. 　 I have such a person. It's my grandmother. Let me call her grandma for now. I was, for the most part, taken care of by her in my childhood. So I went to see my grandma every day. I drew pictures, sang songs, and went to many places with her day after day. She came to almost all of my school events with my mother. She was always thinking about me and had a lovely smile. What are your grand parents like for you? They are like another set of parents to me. They are irreplaceable; no other person could take their place in my life. They treasure me as if I were the only thing they have in this world. 　 As time went by, I became a high school student leading a busy life. Although my house is near hers, I saw her only once a month. When she came to school events and found me like she always did, she called my name in a loud voice from far away. I was very embarrassed rather than happy. I said to her distantly "Grandma please stop!". Her face was getting sadder and sadder, which I regret now. 　 Two years ago, her health began to fade. It was terminal cancer of the pancreas. Chemotherapy overwhelmed her and left my grandma very weak. I longed for a time capsule which could take us back to the good old days when grandma and I spent time singing together, joking with each other, and talking. She tried to show us her usual smile but she became less and less energetic and finally she passed away. I hadn't imagined the day would come when I had to part with my grandma. It was too late to say "I'm sorry grandma. I love you." I was taught many things by her like how to do housework, how to make friends, making judgments between right and wrong, being healthy, and making people happy. 　 These days a song named "The goddess of the bathroom (toile no kamisama) " has been becoming very popular. The singer of this song was raised by her grandma. She wrote her memories of her grandma in the lyrics. When I first listened to the song I couldn't stop crying. It occurred to me that the days my grandma and I spent with each other were encouraging me every day. My grandma made me happy and now it was my turn to make others happy. 　 Now Japan is an aging society. It's a fact that we have economic problems such as a failing pension and medical insurance system. I think it is important that elderly people are able to live long and healthy lives. We're able to learn a lot of wisdom and knowledge from our grandfathers and grandmothers that otherwise would be lost. We should make our future focused on helping each other and cooperating with all generations. Society is made up of people both young and old, and we must all have the courage to support our elderly. 　Indifference is the largest problem. We must walk hand in hand. We must learn wisdom from elderly people and in return give helping hands to them. We should make every effort to make our future bright. 　 Thanks to my grandma I came to think like this. I could now say face to face "thank you for standing by me". After grieving my grandma's death, I decided to become a nurse. I want to support sick people not only physically but also mentally. Elderly people especially need helping hands. 　 Finally, I want you to think about what you can do for the elderly, and how you can relate to each other.
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