When I first set foot on Japanese soil, my knowledge of the country was limited to sushi, yukata, and temples. However, by an unexpected chance, I was fortunate enough to attend a Japanese nursing home, an experience that changed my perception of the country and made me re-examine my life. By chance, I got acquainted with an old man named Ouyang Zhenhua. He is Chinese, but spent his old age in a nursing home in Japan. It was only during my conversation with him that I realized that there are so many Japanese schools and Japanese nursing homes in China. I was deeply touched by his story and made me re-examine my own attitude towards older people and cross-cultural exchange.
Old man Ouyang told me that he used to be a pragmatic person working in Japan, but because of the ruthless oppression of the years, he finally chose to spend the rest of his life in Japan. He shared with me his life in a nursing home and the difficulties and challenges he faced in a nursing home in Japan. Listening to his narration, I seemed to see the lonely and strong old people in Japanese nursing homes, who are burdened with rich life experiences, but are often overshadowed by the indifference and neglect of society.
Ouyang's story made me think about whether our attitude towards the elderly is enough to care and respect, and in the fast-paced life, do we often ignore the elderly people around us who need care and companionship? These questions began to linger in my heart. So, I applied for the opportunity to volunteer in a nursing home, hoping to learn more about the current situation of nursing homes in Japan, and to bring warmth and companionship to the elderly. During my days in the nursing home, I deeply felt the loneliness and longing for attention of the elderly. They are gradually losing weight in loneliness, but they cannot resist the merciless blows brought by the years.
I remember one time, at a music event in a nursing home, I met an old man named Kobayashi. Because he lost his wife and his children were all working in other places, he looked extremely decadent and helpless. I took his hand and swayed gently with him, singing those old songs. At that moment, his eyes flashed with a long-lost light, as if he had found his former self. At that moment, I understood that each of us longs to be loved, regardless of age.
In my diary, I recorded many good times with the elderly. They shared their stories, and I learned a lot of valuable life wisdom from them. And the old man Ouyang has always been my most special friend. He used his sincerity and tenacity to win my endless admiration and affection for him. Slowly, my trip to Japan came to an end and I left the nursing home, but everything there was deeply seared into my heart. After returning to China, I began to take the initiative to pay attention to the elderly around me, chat with them, walk with them, and send them warmth. I understand that caring for the elderly is not only a responsibility, but also a kind of emotional transmission and a positive attitude towards life.
The story of the old man Ouyang made me re-examine my own life, and also made me cherish the family and friendship around me even more. In this fast-moving society, we tend to ignore the ordinary and great existences. And everyone may become the next Ouyang old man, eager to be understood and accompanied. The nursing home in Japan, the old man Ouyang, and the lonely and strong old people have become a unique landscape in my life. Their stories are like a mirror that allows me to see something deep inside myself. I am willing to use my actions to convey love and warmth, because everyone deserves a warm companionship.