“Care for others as much as you care for yourself." ~ Philippians
2:4
After decades of grueling work, Yoshi
and Yasuko planned to travel around Japan after retirement. They’d led a difficult but rewarding life,
raising two children and 60 cows together on a small dairy farm. Then life dealt them a devastating blow.
At age 52, Yasuko suddenly experienced complications from
diabetes causing gradual peripheral vision loss and eventually total
blindness. As an independent, organized
woman, Yasuko suddenly hated feeling dependent and inept at adapting to her new
environment.
Devastated at the prospect of immobility, Yasuko shut
herself away from the world and began living a life of seclusion in her home. Her normally cheerful expression became one of
sadness. Few things made her smile.
But her loving husband wouldn’t give up so easily. Toshi, a man of the earth, had a keen
awareness for the season’s transition.
Spring was all about the sounds, the smells and the rising air
temperature. He took Yasuko by the hand
and tenderly led her to their small garden.
“Do you feel it,” he asked.
“Can you feel the breeze kiss your cheek? Can you smell the flower’s intoxicating
fragrance?”
Even without her sight, Yasuko could sense it, inhaling
deeply like each breath was a time machine.
For those precious few moments she was sighted again as a young girl skipping
through a meadow covered with shibazakura (we call it phlox).
She loved the small flowers for their daring simplicity,
their tenacious spirit, and for growing where they weren’t supposed to. For the first time in months, Yasuko felt
alive again.
Toshi knew exactly what to do.
He quit his dairy farm and started work on creating a carpet
of the pink flowers surrounding their house.
For two years, Toshi chopped down trees, prepared the soil, and planted thousands
of seeds which blossomed into the sweet-smelling pink shibazakura flower.
At first, the two would stroll together so she could enjoy
the bouquet. But soon, their story went
viral. Today their house attracts
thousands of tourist annually - both for the flowers and the touching love
story that brought the garden into being.
Now in his 80’s, Toshi still weeds the fields by hand. Old dairy sheds were converted into a museum
so visitors can see old photographs of the couple. Social media posts provide Yasuko a
never-ending stream of new friends to interact with.
Married for over 60 years, this adorable couple stills
strolls the grounds hand in hand.
There’s a lot of talk about how selfish the world has
become, and about how many people have trouble prioritizing others. It’s beautiful to see good Samaritans in
action, no matter who the beneficiary is, but there’s something extra special
about seeing a husband or wife go the extra mile for his or her spouse.
Lord Almighty, sometimes I pray . . . well, only
for myself. Help mold me into an
instrument of Your love; a selfless mindset filled with hope, encouragement and
inspiration for all those near to me.
Amen
