to Okunitama Shrine 大國魂神社

HK-san has been taking care of her parents at home—
by herself.

Her mother is almost 90 and her father is over 90.
She is younger than I by 7 years or so.

It must be exhausting work, even if she loves them
so much.

We often meet and enjoy talking over lunch
at a café DOUTOR in the neighborhood
when she has time to spare. .

On the second day of the New Year,
we visited 大國魂神社 in Fuchu.

We prayed silently.













Visitors to shrines look happy.
Their warm smiles keep me cheerful.

HK-san and I had a late lunch at a restaurant
in Kokubunji.

We talked about family-care.
We talked about nursing care.
We talked about our life.

We promised to see again
as soon as possible.

on New Year's Day

May the new year 2016 bring you all
much joy and happiness----

Peace on Earth, Happiness to you.

How did you spend your first day of the year?

Last night, on New Year's Eve, I stayed
with my daughter's family.

We talked a lot, had a delicious dinner,
enjoyed 年越しそば and watched 紅白歌合戦　on TV.

This morning, on New Year's Day,
my daughter prepared delicious お雑煮 and おせち料理.

I ate 2 pieces of rice cake.
I was surprised I had a good appetite.

Around 3 p.m. my daughter's family and I went
to a local shrine 熊野宮 by taxi.

There were a lot of people lining along the sidewalk
to the shrine.

We waited one hour and a half
and could finally pray before the shrine.

Then we went to a restaurant and had a light meal.

I came back to my apartment around 6 o’clock.

What happy days I spent
with my daughter's family!
Thank you so much, my beloved family.

（クヌギ）