LOLO'S DAY

TODAY

is Day for the Aged.

This is celebrated every third Sunday of September.

The Japanese used to celebrate it on the 15th of September

since I can remember. But the Law was repealed several years ago.

*

OLD folks are seen everywhere:

the parks, walking, playing gateball,

exercising, planting vegetables on a small patch of land.

They seem to be everywhere

and right here, they seem to dominate society.

The number of old folks in this country increase every year,

while childbirth remains the same, or lesser.

Hence Japan faces the problem of graying society。

The problem of caring for the old folks　

remains the main problem of government.

Around 99% of them recieve regular pension pay

6 times a year.

Helping an old man by offering him your seat

in public transport like trains and buses

are often met with disgusto.

*

Once I offered mine to an old man

as I saw him struggling on the rails while the train was in motion.

He refused nicely,

and struck a conversation with me.

He happened to be a University Professor somewhere in Kyoto.

*

A friend told me that most Japanese so not look well

at being helped. It would signal that it is the end of their

usefulness, if that happens.

*

While most Lolas and Lolos here have looked grateful at assistance

offered to them, I have since resisted the impulse to help them

wherever, whenever I see them.

*

Living with an old

GANKO [obstinate] OJIISAN [Grandpa]

has taught me to respect his space

and not trod on his moods

lest I want a word war to happen

right in our own living room!

*

Last week, I gave Jiji [Lolo]

a wallet made of deerskin.

He had been making 'parinig' about how tattered his wallet was

and that how he wish he had a new one.

*

So.....

I offered to buy him a new one

just to shut him up.

*

Oh well!

*

Happy Lolo's Day!