Tomorrow is Father’s Day. When this time of year rolls around here in Urasoe, Okinawa, I naturally find myself reflecting more on my father’s life. Amid the humid air of the rainy season, his voice and facial expressions come back to me in fleeting moments, making me feel as if he were still right beside me.
🌺 My Father, Who Was Too Kind, and My Mother’s Hardships
My father was, above all, a soft-hearted man who simply couldn’t say no when asked for a favor. He acted as a guarantor for loans here and there, and each time, my mother struggled to cope. Perhaps my father convinced himself that people were “counting on him,” but as a result, the debt just kept piling up. Deciding that the situation wouldn’t change if we stayed in Okinawa, our family moved to the mainland around the time I graduated from junior high school.
🌤️ Life on the mainland and renewed difficulties
On the mainland, my father found a job at a company run by an acquaintance and continued working there until retirement. However, problems arose once again. Without my knowledge, he had been appointed to the board of directors and was about to be held responsible for a company on the brink of bankruptcy. After days of negotiations with the relevant parties, we managed to secure his resignation from the board and his retirement. Immediately afterward, the company went bankrupt. It was a moment when we managed to protect my father by the skin of his teeth.
🌱 Peaceful Days and the Onset of Dementia
After that, my father rented a plot of farmland and led a peaceful life, going to the fields in the mornings and evenings and spending his days at the library. However, symptoms of dementia gradually began to appear; he started seeing things that weren’t there and increasingly acted as if he were talking to someone. At the hospital, we were told there was a possibility of “Lewy body dementia.” Thinking about my parents’ future, I decided to quit my job and bring them back to Okinawa.
🌺 The Last 10 Years Spent in Okinawa
After returning to Okinawa, even as his dementia progressed, my father often displayed a childlike innocence, almost like a kindergartener. He required a lot of care, but there was plenty of laughter, and I believe we were able to spend precious time together as a family. My father passed away at the age of 93, and this year marks the first anniversary of his passing. Even now, I feel as though he’s speaking to me in my heart every day.
☕ Reflecting on Okinawa’s Seasons and Family Memories on Father’s Day
Okinawa’s rainy season is humid and can be a time when one’s spirits tend to sink, but as Father’s Day approaches, my heart strangely warms. My father’s life was by no means smooth sailing, but his love for his family and the peaceful way he lived until the very end continue to be a source of strength for me.
🌼 In Conclusion
Taking time on Father’s Day to quietly reflect on my father’s life is like a cherished ritual for me. Amid the humid air of Urasoe, Okinawa, my father’s memory is still very much alive.
This rechargeable LED work light makes a practical Father’s Day gift, especially for dads who enjoy small repairs or need extra lighting around the house. It provides bright illumination, is easy to carry, and works well during power outages—something very helpful for older adults. A simple, useful gift that shows care.
A bedside organizer is a thoughtful Father’s Day gift for keeping daily essentials—phone, glasses, keys, watch—in one place. It helps older dads stay organized and reduces the stress of misplacing items. The wooden design also makes it a warm, meaningful present.
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