Mother's Final Lecture (special edition)

This is "Mother's Final Lecture" (2024) by Saiai Hazuki.

Those days of caregiving were a teaching from my mother to me.

A collection of 47 excellent essays from the author, who is also the author of such masterpieces of non-fiction as "Perfect Pitch" and "Hoshi Shinichi," and whose newspaper life guides are also popular, that are full of the essence of his life.

From the text:
"For about 30 years, there were times when I was at my physical and mental limits due to the caregiving and the various problems that came with it, but strangely enough, I have recently come to feel that my mother is training me with her own body. Even if it comes down to it, I don't want to use an artificial respirator or a gastrostomy tube, but rather I want to let nature take its course. Am I prepared for this?" (p. 26, "My mother's final lecture has begun")

"Oh, I've reached my limit. If I become like a goldfish gnashing its mouth in an oxygen-starved tank, I must return to Tokyo as soon as possible. I meet people, write manuscripts, and pull myself together. I repeat this cycle. I have come to think of travel expenses as a necessary expense to keep my mind and body healthy." (From "Time Called 'Remaining Life'" on page 6)

"A modest but strong-willed self and an assertive but fragile self coexist within each person. We become stronger as we face various difficulties at work and at home, and spend time feeling down and laughing." (p. 40, "Kouya tofu is better than an unshakable rock.")

"Looking back at my own experience, when I was in my twenties and began caring for my mother who had early-onset dementia, I felt relieved when the helper told me that she had asked other helpers to care for her own parents. I felt relieved that it was okay to rely on others." (p. 124 "Find a Young Carer")

Japan is entering a super-aging society, and according to information from the Cabinet Office, the population over 65 years old will reach 29% by 2022. An increase in the elderly population means an increase in the number of people requiring care. Naturally, the number of people providing care will also increase. One of the keywords that appears in the text is "peer counseling." People with the same situations and worries gather together to consult with and support each other as fellow friends. I sincerely hope that "Mother's Final Lecture" will serve as peer counseling for those who pick it up (Ammel).