[March Anticipation
]
"No Visitors" signs have been posted throughout the hospital
ever since the outbreak of the pandemic started last March.
What an incredible year it has been!
Not just for our daughter, but for all new hire residents, medical slaves in any clinical environment.
She soon found out about the shortage of surgical masks and gowns.
For the last eleven months, every four weeks, she has worked long shifts, even longer than customary night shifts,
in each different department including the ER, psychiatry, gastroenterology, hematology, pediatrics, liver surgery,
OB/GYN, anesthesiology and ICU trying to keep up with the pathological anatomy of her patients.
But her hectic rookie life has not been all bad. Since the state of emergency declared by the government,
the social gatherings in which she was not interested in anyway have all been canceled.
There are still many people in Japan, mostly men, who believe they can build better communication with their colleagues over a few drinks.
As a result, we have far too many work-related annual parties, occasions such as welcoming new employees, cherry blossom viewing,
beer garden night, Christmas, farewell parties and more. She is aware that at the End-of-the-Year party,
every new staff member is forced to showcase a hidden talent in front of his or her coworkers.
My husband is not a rookie any longer, but even he still practices guitar for the next end-of-the-year gathering.
In March, pulmonology would have been her final field of study in her first clinical year if she had not raised her hand to volunteer
for the Corona ward, the medical forefront of the pandemic.
Finally, on February 18, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrived at the University Hospital in Ehime.
Starting mid-March in Matsuyama, medical professionals will be prioritized for vaccination against the disease.
For two weeks, she will make a daily report on whatever side effects she may experience after receiving her shot.
This before the biggest mass inoculation program in history begins. Hopefully in April.
(Kazuyo)
Do you drive a car?
Spring is a good season to go for a drive. Before the pandemic, I used to travel by car with my family using the highway.
The highway reminds me of a heartwarming memory. About 10 years ago, my family lived in Saijo city.
One hot summer day, my son and I turned onto the highway in order to drive to Matsuyama.
Just after we got on the road, my car suddenly stopped. I panicked because the highway was single lane.
When I tried to restart the engine, it didn't work at all.
Since my car was stalled in the middle of the highway, drivers following me drove around me at high speed.
It would have been dangerous for me to even get out of my car.
While I sat in the car trying to figure out what to do, a truck pulled up behind me,
blocking the road so other cars couldn't pass. Then the driver got out of his truck and came toward my car window.
I thought the driver would be angry with me, and I didn't know what to do.
But what happened was completely different than what I expected.
He said, "Are you ok? I'll help you move your car."
Then he pushed my car over to the left side of the road for me.
There was a small shoulder to pull over my car, so it wasn't blocking the road anymore.
Then, he saw my small son in the car, and brought over a cold drink for him.
When I said thanks to him, he smiled and gave me some advice for the next time my car broke down, then he drove away.
I was sincerely impressed by his kindness.
And, thanks to him, I was able to calm down and deal with a difficult and dangerous situation.
The world is also in a difficult situation now, but I want to be kind to others just as he was to me.
By the way, I couldn't get the car started and ended up calling Japan Auto Federation to come and rescue me.
(Chiharu. I)
"What if the world had tackled malaria and other tropical diseases with the energy now dedicated to the Coronavirus?"
This is from an article in the science journal Nature published a few months ago.
The world's peoples suffered from many deadly and intractable diseases, AIDS being one example,
long before anyone had ever heard of the spread of Covid 19.
"Watoto Children's Choir World Tour" visited Matsuyama for the first time three years ago and sent out a message underscoring
how over the years so much human misery has brought death and disease to the people of Uganda.
To be honest when a Kenyan acquaintance asked me to help out with the Watoto event, it felt like the right thing to do.
I thought it would also be a good opportunity to practice my tour-guiding skills.
Instead, I came to find myself filled with love and strength carried on the voices of these children, a love which means so much to me still.
"Watoto" means children in Swahili and is the name of a Christian ministry running orphanages, schools, and welfare offices
for Ugandan orphans who lost their parents or were abandoned due to AIDS and warfare.
A video depicting the calamity of disease and war was shown onstage alongside the children's lively performance.
Tears naturally came, as I marveled at how the children's pure spirits resonated in their voices.
How could they live such strong lives?
After the church concert, I accompanied the group to Matsuyama Castle.
I somehow hesitated to talk about warring Japan, because I thought what I'd say might bring up bad memories for the children
who had lost their parents in the civil war. But as I talked about warriors, battling enemies and their weapons,
an Ugandan adult would rephrase what I said softening these potentially upsetting terms in order that the smaller kids could understand.
For a tour guide, that was an eye-opener, because it taught me the importance of taking tourists' different backgrounds,
ages and prior experiences into consideration. While taking in the beautiful view, the children's astonished shouts and laughter
echoed through the top of the castle tower. In the castle grounds, we all had Japanese box lunches together.
Smiling innocently, they called me Auntie Miwa, and at the end of the day, sang one more song to show their appreciation.
Their fabulous harmonies sounded like hope for a bright future.
Before leaving for their next destination, everyone hugged me with warm arms, and the early spring sky,
hazy mountains and plum blossom aroma embraced us all as well.
Spring, time of anticipation!
(Miwa N.)
Recently I enjoyed seeing a wonderful exhibition of children's art at a school,
something I didn't expect to see on that day.
A classroom was used for the impromptu art show, where colorful figures made of Playdough were displayed on school desks
with accompanying short essays.
The collective title of these works was "My Future Self 15 Years from Now".
There were a variety of figures representing the artists' dreams and ambitions: pilot, oil tycoon, editor, soccer player,
baseball player, stylist, illustrator, novelist, veterinarian, doctor, sushi chef, professional cook, gourmet,
patissier, baker, farmer, interpreter, teacher and flower arranger. While enjoying their works and stories,
I could not help being impressed by how these 12-year-olds were living in the moment with all their hopes and dreams intact,
not thinking too deeply about the current chaos.
The Covid-19 disaster still casts its dark shadow on the world, and we adults are frightened of this invisible enemy
and do our best to cope with our fears. So, in the middle of an uncertain future,
the time spent viewing the exhibition was a heartwarming gift and a reminder that children have big dreams.
These children will soon graduate from their school.
The time to say good-bye is approaching.
What kind of adults will they be in 15 years? I'm looking forward to their future.
Today, I want to send good wishes to all the children heading into a new world.
Congratulations on your graduation. This is the beginning of your future.
Strive toward your dreams!
I will never forget the great times spent with you. And I'm very proud of you.
(Y. Kashio)
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