Revision of Ms. UX (a woman in her 70s)U.Xさん（７０代） from Thu, 12/03/2020 - 10:17

Item Description

June 17, 2014 I am a type of person who tries to accept any circumstances with a positive and calm attitude. When the Tsunami struck, I took refuge in the upstairs of my house and waved to every helicopter flown by hoping that my son would learn that I was safe in case the image was to be broadcasted on TV and he would happen to watch it. I lived alone which made it easier for me that I only had to worry about myself. It was a reminder how important it was to have good health. I was grateful to have great friends. I don’t cling to my life, though. Later, I took refuge to my daughter-in-law’s parents’ house which was equipped with wood burning stoves and a well. A communal life shared by 24 people had started in that house. Having coffee in a stylish beautiful coffee cup enriched my heart. Having to experience the disaster gave me the ability to see the true color in people. For example, some friends just sent me cheap goods (dollar store quality) or kept making empty promises. For me, the experience of having to go through a divorce was much more painful than the experience of the Earthquake disaster. I was 37 years old when my husband left and never returned home. I was mortified and cried. It was a painful, shameful, and miserable experience. Compared to the divorce, dealing with the natural disaster was easier for me. I had children who were first and sixth grade at the time of my divorce and I really felt bad for them. When I moved back to my parents’ home with my two children, my parents told me that they were happy that I was back. The neighbors were nice to us, too. I started to work on a few part-time jobs. When I worked at a fish cake factory, I became in charge of 13 trainees from China. Although I was nervous and anxious with this big role, I was proud to say I tried my best. You cannot see your own face but you can see your reflection in others’ eyes. I spent that year working hard in earnest. I took Chinese, bookkeeping, and singing lessons. My younger son still remembers how I struggled back then and treats me very well. It’s my policy not to envy others. I live in a temporary housing for the Tsunami victims, but I often invite newspaper delivery volunteers in for a cup of tea. Keeping in touch with my friends and volunteers from different area is important to me. When I was younger, only some of us advanced to high school and many went to get jobs in the city where companies took group of workers. I keep in touch with my classmates and meet for a reunion in every four years, in the year of Olympics. There is nobody who are dishonest or jealous among my friends. I’ve always been cheerful since I was born. In my mind, I feel like I’m still an 18 year old. I almost feel like I can still wear my high school uniform to this day. I’m positive and enjoy fun conversations. It’s fun to live in the temporary housing. It is small, and neighbors’ conversation bothers me some time, but at a same time, it’s easy to clean! It’s all about perspective and how we perceive things in life. No life is perfect. Appreciate it. Be happy. Nothing exists forever. Enjoying my single life and there is no use complaining. I’m taking voice training lessons. After turning 70, I started to work as an assistant to a professor at a college. I enjoy people’s company and I don’t like to be alone. I had never imagined my life to turn out so wonderfully as this. I am the happiest right now. I would like to take on another challenge to learn Chinese language. I am also looking forward to welcoming Chinese exchange students again, soon.

Japanese Description

前向きに穏やかに、どんな環境も受けいれたいです。家の二階に避難していて、放送局のヘリコプターに手を振り、“息子がテレビを見ていて、自分が無事であることを知ってくれたら“と期待していました。一人暮らしなので自分のことだけ考えればいいので楽でした。健康の大切さ。自分は友人に恵まれていることに感謝。命は惜しくありません。息子の妻の実家に避難。そこには井戸や薪ストーブがあり、24 人の共同生活が始まりました。きれいな、おしゃれなコーヒーカップでコーヒーをいただき、心の栄養だと思いました。被災して、人の本性がわかった気がします。例えば、安い物（100円）だけ送ってくる知人や、送ると言って何も送ってこない知人。離婚の方がもっと辛かったです。３７歳の時で、夫がもどってきませんでした。悔しくて泣きました。辛くて、屈辱で、なさけない。離婚に比べれば、震災は天災ですからあきらめがつきます。当時、小学１年と６年だった子供達にもうしわけなかったです。子供二人を連れて実家に戻った時、両親は「もどってきて幸せ」と言ってくれました。近所の人もいい人でした。パートの仕事をいくつか始めました。練り物会社にいた時、中国人研修生１３人を受け入れ、緊張と不安の生活指導員となりました。誠実に対応したつもりです。自分の顔は自分で見れませんが、相手の目に映る自分は見えます。真剣に生きた一年。中国語も、シャンソンも簿記も習いました。その苦労を覚えていて、次男の息子は、今、とてもよくしてくれます。他人をねたまないようにしています。新聞配りのボランティアを仮設の自分の家に招き、お茶をごちそうしています。各地のボランティアと交流。友人を大切に。当時、高校に進学しない人や集団就職する人が多かったです。そんな同級生達と長年つきあっていて、被災した時、支援の品を送ってきてくれました。今でもオリンピックの年に（４年に一度）同級会をします。ずるい人や嫉妬する人は、友人にいません。小さいころから明るい自分。今も気分は１８歳。高校の制服が着れるような気分。前向き、楽しい話が好き。仮設も楽しいです。狭いし隣の声も聞こえてうるさいけれど、掃除が簡単。物は考えようです。すべて一長一短。よいも悪いも自分しだい。幸せ、感謝。物はいつか無くなります。一人暮らしを楽しみ、愚痴を言っても仕方ありません。歌、ボイストレーニングのレッスンを受けています。７０歳になって、大学のある先生のお手伝いの仕事をしています。人がいるってすばらしいです。一人はつまらない。いつ死んでもいいけれど、こんな人生が送れるとは想像もしませんでした。今が一番幸せ。再度、中国語にチャレンジし、中国からの留学生との交流も楽しみです。２０１４年６月１７日

English Description

June 17, 2014 I am a type of person who tries to accept any circumstances with a positive and calm attitude. When the Tsunami struck, I took refuge in the upstairs of my house and waved to every helicopter flown by hoping that my son would learn that I was safe in case the image was to be broadcasted on TV and he would happen to watch it. I lived alone which made it easier for me that I only had to worry about myself. It was a reminder how important it was to have good health. I was grateful to have great friends. I don’t cling to my life, though. Later, I took refuge to my daughter-in-law’s parents’ house which was equipped with wood burning stoves and a well. A communal life shared by 24 people had started in that house. Having coffee in a stylish beautiful coffee cup enriched my heart. Having to experience the disaster gave me the ability to see the true color in people. For example, some friends just sent me cheap goods (dollar store quality) or kept making empty promises. For me, the experience of having to go through a divorce was much more painful than the experience of the Earthquake disaster. I was 37 years old when my husband left and never returned home. I was mortified and cried. It was a painful, shameful, and miserable experience. Compared to the divorce, dealing with the natural disaster was easier for me. I had children who were first and sixth grade at the time of my divorce and I really felt bad for them. When I moved back to my parents’ home with my two children, my parents told me that they were happy that I was back. The neighbors were nice to us, too. I started to work on a few part-time jobs. When I worked at a fish cake factory, I became in charge of 13 trainees from China. Although I was nervous and anxious with this big role, I was proud to say I tried my best. You cannot see your own face but you can see your reflection in others’ eyes. I spent that year working hard in earnest. I took Chinese, bookkeeping, and singing lessons. My younger son still remembers how I struggled back then and treats me very well. It’s my policy not to envy others. I live in a temporary housing for the Tsunami victims, but I often invite newspaper delivery volunteers in for a cup of tea. Keeping in touch with my friends and volunteers from different area is important to me. When I was younger, only some of us advanced to high school and many went to get jobs in the city where companies took group of workers. I keep in touch with my classmates and meet for a reunion in every four years, in the year of Olympics. There is nobody who are dishonest or jealous among my friends. I’ve always been cheerful since I was born. In my mind, I feel like I’m still an 18 year old. I almost feel like I can still wear my high school uniform to this day. I’m positive and enjoy fun conversations. It’s fun to live in the temporary housing. It is small, and neighbors’ conversation bothers me some time, but at a same time, it’s easy to clean! It’s all about perspective and how we perceive things in life. No life is perfect. Appreciate it. Be happy. Nothing exists forever. Enjoying my single life and there is no use complaining. I’m taking voice training lessons. After turning 70, I started to work as an assistant to a professor at a college. I enjoy people’s company and I don’t like to be alone. I had never imagined my life to turn out so wonderfully as this. I am the happiest right now. I would like to take on another challenge to learn Chinese language. I am also looking forward to welcoming Chinese exchange students again, soon.