(KW from Hyogo Prefecture/Female/60s/Housewife)
My mother-in-law used to say, “I own a sturdy body.” She is a hard worker and has always been able to stay away from hospitals. However, about a year ago, she started to get sick and go to the hospital. Anemia, high blood pressure, etc…. It seems that her body, which has worked so hard for 92 years, is teaching her various things, and she started saying, “I can’t push myself too much anymore…”. It was the first time I had heard a bearish word from her.
Accepting My Mother-in-Law’s Feelings Together with My Husband
Eventually, even without taking medication, her blood pressure dropped, her appetite went away, and her organs were not working so actively. Above all, she couldn’t go to the fields she loved, and started tidying up the house saying, “While I still can.” It was as if it were the end of her life. Every day, my family and relatives took turns encouraging my mother-in-law.
My mother-in-law had days when her body does move freely as it used to. Out of frustration, there were days when she took it out on my husband. But my husband took it in stride, saying, “It’s proof that she is relying on us and depending on us.” So, I also accepted my mother-in-law’s feelings, saying, “I know it’s hard…” and I made a conscious effort to stand close to her.
The Presence of Kami Experienced by the Whole Family
Last fall, when my eldest daughter and her child came to visit, my mother-in-law held my hand and said, “I am so grateful…” and “Thank you so much for everything you have done,” and gradually lost consciousness. We called the doctor right away, and told us to call the relatives immediately. I was told that it was senility.
However, the next morning, my mother-in-law woke up saying, “Oh, I’m still alive!” The doctor said with amuse, “It’s a miracle.” I said, “Kami protected her,” and from there, she recovered more and more. “I’m grateful to be alive today, it’s been a long time since I’ve been so hungry. Let’s make eggplant miso soup!” We’ve never seen her expression become so bright.
A Home/Family Built by Kami’s Teachings
Now she can go to the fields and day services. In the morning and in the evening, we offer our kigan to Kami. She would say, “If I kigan so I can have a bright kokoro for the day, you I will indeed have that.” “I feel like I’ve met Kami for the first time at this age.” The crumpled hands of my mother-in-law, who prayed with all her might, seemed to be filled with her thoughts of 92 years.
My mother-in-law laughs, “I’m grateful to have a lot of people supporting me and being able to be accepted in the family.” Seeing the photos of my father-in-law who passed away three years ago, she would say, “I’m going out.” Or “Listen to what happened to me today…” I feel very warm inside seeing her talk to my father-in-law’s picture.
About 40 years ago, when I got married, my parents-in-law were always fighting. I just stepped in and played a good wife … From the moment when we all began to turn our kokoro to Kami as a family, we gradually began to speak our true feelings and understand each other’s inner feelings. If I hadn’t believed in Kami, I would never have been standing where I am today. My mother-in-law’s strong and every little cheerful way of life reaches my heart, and my feelings of gratitude and respect deepens every single day.
Heeding the Shinji to Understand the Reasons for the Joys Experienced
Shinji is the universal principle (truth), and can also be the guidance of life that foresees the future. Please feel the wonders of a life that flows exactly in a way the Shinji tell us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
Health is produced in a family environment where the family members are compassionate to each other, and are seeking for mutual happiness.
The more the kokoro becomes generous and rich, the condition of your body will be in place, and the mind and the body will be protected.
Have a strong feeling as a family to build a family environment that interacts with each other based on the teachings.
Naturally and gradually, the teachings will bring the family member’s thoughts together as one; and it will be a place where the family can talk to each other about anything.
Know the secret to achieve true health; and be a shinja who lives by the principles.