Jingle Bells
I started working at an emergency hospital in Ginza when I was 28 years old.
I counted 25 year-end and Christmas parties that year.
I still remember that number.
My salary and bonus weren’t enough, so I borrowed money from my mother.
What a time it was.
The world, especially Ginza, was in the midst of a bubble.
At the end of the year, there was always at least one drunk person who fell down the stairs at the station and was taken to the hospital.
I remember a part-time doctor on duty from the university who was late and drunk, and I fired them on the spot.
I also remember the young female doctor’s red face.
I was young.
Due to the coronavirus, there are no more parties for her these days.
However, there is one party that I always attend every year.
It is a mother and child support facility run by a social welfare corporation.
Yesterday too, I got to hear the sounds of the piano and violin played by volunteers up close.
Together with mothers and children at the facility.
Even if there are kids making noise, no one cares.
The performers are also used to it.
They are used to performing at facilities like this, and they come every year.
I can’t thank you enough.
The facility prepared Christmas presents for both mothers and children, but that was not all.
I think it was normally a counseling room, but that room was decorated with sweets.
It was full.
It’s like the candy house from Hansel and Gretel.
I wouldn’t say it’s something that makes children happy.
I think some reclusive children who don’t usually come out of their rooms will come out.
The production team’s masterpieces were chosen by the children within an hour and brought in bags full of their own.
For children, delicious sweets are magic.
I want people to know what really delicious, authentic tastes are when they are children.
Whether it’s rice, fish, fruit, or sweets.
The same goes for picture books and movies.
And let the staff have fun together.
Have them taste it.
The joy of receiving a present and the joy of giving one.
Whether you live or work in the same facility, you will spend the same time and share the same impressions.
My time in Koyama is also a time of great memories in my life.
I feel like the second-grade elementary school boy who hosted the event looked like me back in the day.
He fulfilled his duties admirably that day.
The chairman who was introduced to him is now reflecting on whether he was able to fulfill his role admirably.
Maybe more could have been done.
I worry every year.
I was concerned that the tree decorations I had sent a long time ago were still missing.
Last night, I thought about this while eating the bread with Anpanman’s face on it that I received on the way home.
It is said that only those who have eaten bread with tears can know the taste of life.
Now I am eating bread with tears in my eyes.
But I was smiling, happy, and having fun.
I think it was the same with the staff last night.
God speaks to everyone who thinks.
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Body temperature 36.7 Blood sugar 149
I Can Hear the Bells
CEO Yasunari Koyama