Memorable Words from elderly persons

1. The current siren commemorative the end of the war. Gassho. - Mr H, 76 years old, Kurume City.

2. I experienced the war’s end in Miyazaki Prefecture, Miyakonojo. We were a unit preparing for a possible mainland decisive battle. After the war ended, a colleague said, "If we just leave the military horses tied up, they will starve to death. It's pitiful, so let's take them home with us," and brought the horses back to Omuta. I said, "Be careful. You might get attacked by wild dogs. Here, takes this Japanese sword for self―defence." That colleague safely returned to Omuta after a week. - Mr. M, 85 years old, Kurume City.

3. My husband enlisted the day before the end of the war. But since his military uniform was not ready, he cancelled his enlistment. The next day was the end of the war. Without military uniforms, there would have been no war. We have lived in a sound era. What will happen to Japan from now on? - Mrs E, 80 years old, Kurume City.

4. I raised my eight children on sweet potatoes. They all grew up healthy. At that time, there were only sweet potatoes to eat. Thanks to that, none of them were lacking in nutrition. My eldest, second, and third sons received the draft notice and went to war, but all three returned home. - An 88-year-old woman from a particular temple in Kagoshima Prefecture.

5. My mother didn't teach us arithmetic or science, but she taught us the importance of working hard. As a Buddhist priest, I understand that it's also good to experience poverty. - Mr. S, 85 years old, Kurume City.

6. "Do your best seriously. You have to be serious" was my grandfather's (father's) favourite phrase. - Mr. I, 62 years old, male, Kurume City.

7. The doctor told me, "There is nothing more we can do for your wife." All we could do was wait for her to pass away. It was a tough time. So, I read the Heart Sutra at her bedside. My son said, "Dad, it's too early for her to hear the sutra." I told him, "This is the only thing I can do for your mother right now. Just sit there quietly and listen." Was that the right thing to do? - Mr. R, 73 years old, Kurume City.

8.  "I was told by the doctor that I have a tumour in my head. But I think it's good to know. Now, I live each day as if it's precious. K-San, a 72-year-old woman from Ogori city."

9.  "Since my wife is hospitalised, I've been talking with my daughters about life and death. 　　I also have a sickness, so I think about various things. Living is tough. T-San, 70-year-old man from Kurume city."

10.  "The husband told the wife who cares for him at the hospital, 'I won't eat that.' The wife answered, 'Don't be selfish. This is not our home.' Then, after a while, the husband became very ill, held the wife’s hand, and said, 'Come with me. Come with me.' The wife replied, 'I can't leave you alone. I'll follow you later.' The day before he passed away, the husband held my hand and said, 'Please take care of the rest.' Mr and Mrs T, the 85-year-old couple from Kitano-Cho."

11. "It was my first outing in a long time after being discharged from the hospital. My husband and I went to see hydrangeas in Soshi-cho. They were very beautiful, wet with rain. I deeply felt that it was good to be alive. Y-san, a 63-year-old woman from Kurume city."

12. "The old lady in the neighbourhood underwent surgery for rectal cancer. The doctor told her that she might have to have a colostomy bag. She kept it a secret because she thought her son would worry. The doctor called her son in and knew about it, but he kept it a secret from his mother because he thought she would worry. It's a heartwarming story that they both kept it a secret. S-san, 92 years old woman from Hisayoshi City."

13. "I would have regretted not being able to do anything as a child if my mother had passed away as she was. It's been 20 years since she entered the hospital. Now, I think I've done some things a child should do for my mother, at least a little. So I think it's good this way." A San, 53 years old woman from Kurume city.

Editor's note:

I have transcribed the words spoken by neighbours and temple members. I have used initials for their names as I have not received their consent. Do you know that Buddha statues have big ears? It represents his teaching, "Listen carefully to what others say." We must listen carefully to the words of those with experience. -Editor, Giken Yoshitomi

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