During this winter vacation I met my mother who is 76 years old, and my mother-in-law who is 84 years old. I'm happy both of them are fine. But I felt a little change on both of them.
My mother, Hiroko-san, seems to be worse at communication in a group. She usually has breakfast, lunch and dinner by herself. Fortunately someone such as her friends, neighbors and her four grand daughters often visit her, but usually it is one-on-one communication. and someone comes to her house, so she doesn't need to care for surroundings. To tell the truth, I already noticed her change, so I would take her somewhere to enjoy her and went on a trip this fall. I want her to keep
On the other hand my mother-in-law Kazuyo-san seemed to change. Since my father-in-law passed away she had lived alone. Now she is living in a senior center by herself. There she is not the eldest person. Though she has her own room, she usually has breakfast, lunch and dinner at a big dinning room with members in neat clothing. She needs to have concern for the good of the community.
In many foreign countries people seem to enjoy party with "neighbors", "friends", not only with their family. I think having a party is a kind of culture. Here in Japan such culture is not so popular. But having party keep us communication skill, sociability. To tell the truth, I don't like such a party culture very much, or I'm not used to it. But considering the two elderly women, I started to think about the benefit of the party culture.
It might be a good opportunity to build a base of party culture for me in my 50's.
2 comments:
That is an astute observation, Mieko, and a difficult one to express in second language but you certainly made your point. English lesson: instead of "concern for the community" you might consider "participating in the community" or "being a part of a group." People living alone do lose their social skills and ability to communicate and it's interesting that you personally have two examples to observe this. Nick has two elder sisters (much older than your mother and in-law) who are almost in the same situation. Like in your family, the oldest one is much more socially active and alert and seems to be the younger one! Jan
Thanks Jan. I don't like to see her selfish? attitude. On the other hand she makes me to the future of me. Here in Utsunomiya I have no relatives, but I'll try to keep being involoved in the community.
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