1カ月ぶりに、リハビリ施設に入院中の父に会いに行ってきました。
今回は、いくつかの「ミッション」を携えて。ディズニーシーの動画、年賀状用の写真撮影、そして天皇皇后両陛下にたまたま遭遇した時の貴重な動画。たった30分という限られた面会時間でしたが、なんと全てのミッションを見事にコンプリート！
特に嬉しかったのは、年賀状用の写真が撮れたこと。
なんというタイミングでしょう。父はちょうど散髪したばかりで、髪型もばっちり。しかも、寝間着っぽくない、きちんとした服装だったのです。
「年賀状の写真を撮るよ」とカメラを向けると――
父が見せてくれたのは、とびきりの笑顔。歯はないけれど（笑）、その笑顔は本当に素敵でした。家にいた頃よりも、むしろ元気になっているように見えたのです。
余計なテレビも見ず、規則正しくリハビリに励み、ノイズのない環境で過ごす日々。そうした生活が、父の心をクリアにしているのかもしれません。
母もこのミラクルに大喜びで、年賀状の写真に決定です！
そして、もう一つの忘れられない瞬間。
天皇皇后両陛下にたまたま遭遇した時の動画を見せると、父の反応が驚くほど違いました。ディズニーシーの動画よりも、さらに食い入るように画面を見つめる父。なので、その場で、スマホからiPad miniで見せられるように、YouTubeにアップして…と、工夫して、もう一度見せることができました。
その真剣な眼差しを見て、「またこれで寿命が伸びたな」と感じました。もしかしたら、私がたまたま両陛下に遭遇したのは、父に見せるためだったのかもしれない――そう思えてくるほどです。
さすが、天皇皇后両陛下のオーラ。その特別な存在感は伝わるものなのですね。
30分という短い時間でしたが、父の元気な姿を見られて、心から安心しました。次に会える日を楽しみに、また新しい「ミッション」を考えておこうと思います。
A Miraculous 30-Minute Visit
I visited my father at the rehabilitation facility today—our first reunion in a month.
This time, I arrived with several “missions” in hand: a video from our trip to DisneySea, a New Year’s card photo shoot, and a precious video of the moment I happened to see Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.
Although I was given only 30 minutes for the visit, I somehow managed to complete every mission flawlessly.
What made me happiest was being able to take a perfect photo for the New Year’s card.
The timing could not have been better. My father had just had a haircut, and his hairstyle looked great. On top of that, he wasn’t in pajamas—he happened to be wearing neat, proper clothes.
When I pointed the camera at him and said, “Let me take your New Year’s photo,”
he flashed me the brightest smile.
He may not have teeth anymore (laugh), but the smile was truly wonderful.
In fact, he looked even healthier than when he lived at home.
No unnecessary television, daily rehabilitation, and a quiet environment without noise…
Perhaps this calm lifestyle is helping his mind become clearer.
My mother was delighted by this little miracle as well, and we instantly decided this photo would be the one for our New Year’s card.
And then came another unforgettable moment.
When I showed my father the video of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress—whom I had run into completely by chance—his reaction was completely different.
He watched it even more intently than the DisneySea video, leaning forward with full concentration.
So, right there on the spot, I uploaded the video to YouTube so I could show it on my iPad mini instead of my phone.
Watching him take it all in with such seriousness, I couldn’t help but think, “His life just got a little longer again.”
It made me realize something:
maybe the reason I happened to encounter Their Majesties that day…
was so that I could show the video to my father.
Their presence truly carries an unmistakable aura—one that leaves a deep impression even through a screen.
Although the visit lasted only 30 minutes, seeing my father looking so well filled me with relief.
I’m already looking forward to the next visit—and to planning a new set of “missions” for him.
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