Dad’s eyes got a teensy-weensy bit watery again today.
Perhaps its becoming a routine.
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Went to see Dad this morning. Took him his “bentou”, or Japanese lunch to-go, as a change of pace. They only serve America cuisine there.
Not that he complains. He doesn’t. But all the servers there know he WON’T eat fish. He makes sure of that.
Also took him “yokan”, “senbei”, “manjyuu”, and Morinaga caramel (his favorite from decades ago)… Oh. And “anpan”. Gotta feed his sweet tooth. Make him happy is all that matters now.
While he asked how “Sue-boh” is as usual (his favorite brother who was KIA), he – by coincidence – talked about how he broke his elbow again. 😉
But this time, I had the pictures I had taken last month with me! Blew his mind. He “kinda” remembered my son and I went to Japan, but he couldn’t comprehend how I got those pictures. Oh well. Anyways, the most important thing was that yes, that was the large stone he jumped from…but he asked, “Where’s the benjo? There was a benjo there behind the tree.” A “benjo” is kind of like an Japanese-style outhouse. 🙂 And that definitely was the (remnants of the) branch.
You should have seen his boyish smile.
I took along what vintage pages I dared to from Grandmother Kono’s album today. I was concerned as they were so fragile… but Dad handled them gingerly.
He particularly liked the photo of him, Mieko and Suetaro… He had a nice smile. I wonder what was going through his thoughts then but I wasn’t going to interrupt.
I think his eyes got a bit watery.
Just a teensy-weensy bit.
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About an hour later, he remembered looking at the vintage pictures.
Today was a good day.
Masako and Spam Musubi 
Awww… Yes, a really good day. So happy.
Indeed… He recalled a noodle shop around the corner. He also quickly recognized a man named Fujii – the owner of Fujii Hotel. More later.
What a good day 🙂
Thank you from afar! I hope things are going good across the pond.
What a wonderful day. And what a wonderful son, to make sure he has these reasons to smile, and a chance to remember. What a gift you are to him.
Well, I think there are other sons for other fathers who would truly deserve such an accolade. I’m late getting to the party. 😦
You are at the party now. Which is what matters now. And he seems happy with this. And, right now, is very important for you both.
The Queen in her infinite wisdom is correct once again. 😉
😉
so precious! i’m glad today was a good day 🙂
…and I hope your day has turned out better from the past few as well.
thank you it was much better!
It is very touching to see your father studying those pictures. How wonderful that you could share photos that we hope brought him good memories.
I think they did bring back some good memories. He was happier than usual and remembered a lot of little things. Precious things that would have otherwise have been lost.
The look on his face is priceless. I got a little misty watching him get misty. You are a gift to your father and I’m glad he had such a good day! 🙂
Thank you… For a couple of minutes there, dementia took a back seat… 😉
We held on to those good days too with my mother in law when Alzheimer’s took its hold on her…thank you for sharing that special moment with us. Prayers and hugs….Patty
Aren’t you glad you did, Patty? 🙂
Yes – they still bring us comfort.
…and the caissons go rolling along… 🙂
😀
Lovely to see, moving words and pictures Koji. It is very good to keep the old grey matter stimulated.
The story touches the humanity in all of us. Thanks.