Today I was just watching my routine jdrama of the day and chanced upon this scene where there was this old man shovelling a few white carrots into his basket in a snowy rural mountainous town. He then walked slowly yet proudly back home with his vegetable produce. Something about this scene just tugged my heartstrings. I’ve watched so many dramas and shows but never felt this strong about a scene; a short yet unrevealing scene of an old grandpa working hard and doing his best on his own being the proudest thing ever. I was very touched.
I was reminded of my very own grandpa who used to award me 20 cents for running small errands like bringing him his spectacles or towel. My dear grandpa Schmid whom I’d visit whenever I went Japan. We’d always meet at the same station and same time, eating the same lunch at the same restaurant. It’s all cool, this little consistency we have whenever we meet. I loved chatting with him. His eyes would open wide when I asked him a question and I’ll listen in awe when he tells me what he’s up to. There was also this old 80+ year old professor whom I respected a lot. I’ve always loved attending his classes because there was this warmth of him sharing his wisdom that I couldn’t feel from others. The kind of slow thoughtfulness only an old person would have.