1. A Day Like a Sudden Storm

Yesterday, I was struck by severe abdominal pain from early morning and had absolutely no appetite. It seems the sudden, intense heat—as if summer decided to arrive overnight—was too much for my body to handle. It easily ranks near the top of the most physically grueling days of my life. I spent the entire day with the bathroom as my closest companion.

2. Words That Brought Me to Tears

As I lay there, unable to do anything but endure the pain, my family softly spoke to me:

“You don’t have to cook anything today. Just stay in bed and rest.”

The moment I heard those words, all the tension inside me melted away, and I felt like I was going to cry. My body felt cold and weak, but my heart was instantly warmed by their magical kindness.

3. The Sweetness of Fruit and the Comfort of Being Protected

On top of that, they had gone out and bought some fresh fruit for me. The soothing sweetness of that fruit beautifully restored my depleted body. It made me realize all over again that my “Ibasho” (the place where I truly belong) isn’t a place where I have to perform perfectly; it is this warm home that wraps around and protects me just as I am, even when I am completely helpless.

4. Wishing You All Well

The changing of seasons puts a much heavier burden on our bodies than we realize. Please don’t push yourselves too hard, and make sure to put your own well-being first. I truly hope you all stay safe and healthy through these sudden shifts in weather.

#Ibasho #FamilyLove #Gratitude #DailyLife #SlowLiving #SummerSickness #SupportiveFamily #HealthFirst #Mindfulness #Japaneselifestyle