#正直になってよかったこと(17) 母から学んだ強さと日々の小さな習慣　ー　どんなにしっかりしていても、避けられない変化と向き合う日々　　(英語版) Strength and Daily Habits Learned from My Mother ー　Facing Unavoidable Changes, No Matter How Strong One Is

I grew up watching my mother’s strength from an early age. My father was a high school physical education teacher and an 8th-dan judoka at the Kodokan, yet he had a habit of overspending and often opposed my grandfather. As a result, our household always faced financial instability. My mother managed this situation through careful budgeting and frugality, working tirelessly to protect and support the family. Even under the strict scrutiny of my grandparents, she never wavered, remaining steadfast in her role. Witnessing her strength, I learned to be someone who would not be defeated by any environment.

This influence shows itself in small daily habits. This morning, while preparing for my trip to New Zealand, I made a rolled omelet using eggs from the refrigerator. When cracking the eggs, the white string, called the chalaza, appeared. Although I know it is nutritious, I instinctively removed it, just as my mother did when I was young. Even in these minor actions, the habits and lessons passed down from her live on.

However, my mother has changed with age. After my father passed away, she became increasingly withdrawn, and signs of dementia began to appear amidst her loneliness. She now lives in a care facility. When I call her, she lights up for a brief moment, but soon forgets. Having seen my grandmother develop dementia in her later years, I cannot ignore the potential hereditary risk.

Through this experience, I have learned that no matter how strong or wise a person may be, age and genetics can alter both body and memory. That is why it is important to prepare for the final stage of one’s life and organize wills and affairs so as not to burden one’s children. The small daily habits and wisdom inherited from my mother connect to larger life lessons that shape who we are.

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