a thin voice
take some of that rice
when you go


Let me tell you about a patient of mine who had a really hard time speaking after a serious illness had passed.

As always, after finishing my session with her, I said: “Otsukare sama deshita. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

She would usually just nod her head in response, but this time she seemed to have something more she desperately wanted to express to me. Although her voice was practically nonexistent, I was able to discern her meaning from the movement of her mouth and a few audible whispers. She seemed to say, “go ahead and take some of that rice home with you.”

She must have been trying as hard as she could to show me the utmost consideration. Of course, there was neither any rice nearby, nor any means of procuring it. Yet, I was happy that she was being so considerate of me, and I replied thankfully: “Just knowing you care is more than enough for me. Our greatest concern is your health, so please get well and we’ll all be very happy.” Then, I turned and left.

Later on, discussing this with her family, one of her relatives said, “Back before the illness, she used to like giving the rice she grew to the people around her. It must be because of that.”

Before her illness, she was a diligent farmer who was full of energy, worked hard every day, and yet gave away her rice to anyone she saw. She has remained considerate of those around her in spite of serious physical symptoms that ought to leave her exhausted.

When I understood that the kindness in her heart had not wavered in the face of the great changes that accompanied her illness, my heart brimmed with emotion.

– Fujisaki Yukiyo
– English by Chay Schiller









そこの米持って帰りと細き声

そこの こめ　もってかえり と　ほそき こえ



病気の後遺症で、声が出にくくなってしまった高齢の患者さんのお話です。

いつものようにリハビリを終えた後、
「お疲れ様でした。また明日来ますね。」
と挨拶すると、普段はうなづいてくださるだけなのに、
何やら必死に訴えています。

声はほとんど出ませんが、口の形とわずかな息の音から、
”そこにある米を持って帰りなさい”とおっしゃっているようです。
きっと彼女なりの精一杯のお気遣いなのでしょう。
もちろん近くにお米はありませんし、
簡単に受け取るわけにもいきません。

でもお気遣い頂く気持ちは嬉しいので、
「お気持ちだけで十分です。私たちは○○さんが元気になってくださることが1番嬉しいんですよ。」とお礼を言ってその場を去りました。

後でご家族にそのことを話すと、
「元気な頃から自分の家で育てたお米をいろんな人にあげるのが好きだったからね。」
とのことでした。

自身の体調が悪くてしんどいはずなのに、他の人を気遣う今の姿。元気に農業を営み、毎日手間をかけ、丹精込めて作ったおいしいお米を、来る人来る人にあげている彼女の生き生きした病前の姿。

病気をしてたくさん変化があっただろうに、
彼女の心の優しさは変わらないのだなと、胸が熱くなりました。