5/20/2016

67th Birthday

It is my 67th birth day today. Not a deep emotion at all but I feel I have reached this point of my life now. I still feel as young as my 20s of age. But the physical condition or the environment makes me convinced I have come this far now.

It is one of the most beautiful and comfortable seasons here in a year now. Crystaline blue sky with tender breeze. Crisp and dry air. I am still grateful to my parents who have given life to me at this time in a year and have cared for me with mush affection. I know I owe not only to them but also to many people around me, dead or alive. For example, I used to ask a constructor who was a patient's father to build the fence all around the property. At that time, I was very critical to those constructors since I had experienced bitter things with them in the construction of my clinic. I was critical to that person as well or have not believed in him. Now I know he has done a great job with the fence. I should have thanked more to him. Other than this, I still remember many people whom I should thank for their kindness and faith in me. It is the time when I often recall of them and thank to them in mind now.


This photo was taken at a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients my aunt had managed around WWII. Me as a toddler between my father's knees. My sister on the left of me. Aunt back left of my father. I was born there and had spent a few years until my parents decided to make Exodus to Tokyo. It was a small society based on Christianity. We were all very poor but have had hope and love as the name of this sanatorium expressed, the Sanatorium of Faith and Love. I have written about this place in the past post. I should appreciate all the love my parents have given to me there. My aunt had also taken care of me even after I grew up. I often remember of them and ask myself if I haven't had anything I could do for them.     

I feel I am getting free from the desires I have had. No need for a good car nor good clothes. I should get ready for the further elderly days. But anything more is unnecessary to me. This might reflect the change as a living being getting into the elderly age. But being free from these things is a real blessing.

Two things I would pursue from now on. One is to study more about history, politics and the other knowledges the old people have left us. I am feeling dizzy when I find so many things to study. But not time limit is imposed on me. I would go on reading and thinking of those things.

The other hope is that I would play cello a bit more. Since I have had the cataract surgery, I have almost perfect vision, so that I could read score of music almost freely. It was another blessing to me. I know it is quite difficult for me to progress with it for now. But I still do with it and have fun in music.

It is a reality my memory is getting worse and physical capability is getting lessened day by day. It is the time to lose things more than to obtain at this time in my life. But I still believe that the good thing is left ahead in my life and, with appreciation and gratitude to the people and the circumstance around me, I would go on this year of 67th from today.

13 comments:

  1. There is a hidden beauty of growing older. You begin to realize many things. Of those, of course, one is mortality, and that is fine. But, you also realize that you now have the rare opportunity to enjoy the world, the people and the nature that surrounds you. No longer in the pursuit of monetary gains, bigger houses, bigger cars, more prestige, now you can embrace finer benefits of life that are truly only known to those that have come this far. Seems common to look back at the road you traveled, chastising oneself for failing to thank sufficiently those that preceded us. At least for me, one wonders why we were selected to accomplish these years, when so many others had less. The wisdom of age is a unique gift, given only to those that have paid their dues. Happy number 67, young man.

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    1. I totally agree with you at every point you told here. Thanks for your comment. May our days be free from the trivial things in the world but concentrated on the important things. Thanks again for your kind words, Don. The difference of age is relatively getting smaller. But you still have more of the wisdome in life than I do.

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  2. Shin

    Many happy returns of the day.


    John

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  3. Shin, Best Wishes on your Birthday. You and Don have put your thoughts on aging so eloquently I can add nothing but absolute agreement. Cheers, Dan

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment. We won't stop studying in life. See you again soon. Say hi to Louize and your daughter Lucy.

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  4. Happy Birthday Shin. Your words are eloquent. Very much enjoy the photo of your family and again the mention of your wonderful Aunt. As I have told you previously, you are still a young man with the opportunity to enjoy and accomplish many things.

    73,

    Taylor

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    1. Taylor, at age 67, I feel I could accomplish less in my life. But I would go on what I could do. Take care.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Shin. Wonderful post and comments.
    WA4AMG

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    1. Terry,

      Thanks a lot. Your comment is also always appreciated. Take care.

      Shin

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  6. Dr. Shin This is a friend of Ross W7YCW as you are. I have visited Ross several times lately and he is well. But not active anymore on the radio. Just getting old.... We tried to get him on cw a few weeks ago but he just didn't feel comfortable enough to do that. Just been too long. He is doing well for an OM at nearly 91. I did tell him if possible I would make contact with you. I listened to you in qso this morning but by the time you signed the band fell out and was not able to contact. Very best and 73 from Ross and I guy wr7k

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    1. Guy,

      Thanks for the update on Ross W7YCW. I am sorry he won't get on the radio any longer. As you know, I used to talk to him quite often years ago. We could not do anything with the time passing by, though. I wish him very pleasant and peaceful days there. i am still thankful to him for all the fine ragchews in the past. Please pass it on to him. I will catch yourself on the air very soon. Thanks again.

      Shin

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    2. Thank you for the reply. I will share with Ross.

      guy

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