A heartwarming tale of a mother and daughter’s bond forged in Tea
“May I post your photos that I take during the tea ceremony workshop on my Komurasaki An website?” I asked the Spanish mother and daughter. They exchanged glances and spoke in Spanish for a moment. Esther laughed cheerfully and said, “As long as they turned out well.”
Esther was constantly attentive to her mother, who had mobility issues. I heard her say, “Mama, Mama,” over and over. “Mama, look, I’m grinding the tea leaves with a millstone.” “Mama, Mama, you turn the tea bowl twice clockwise.” Even though I couldn’t understand Spanish, I could feel the deep bond between them. The daughter’s care for her mother and the mother’s complete trust in her daughter were truly beautiful.
My own mother passed away three years ago, just shy of her 100th birthday. By the time I reached her bedside, she had already taken her last breath. ‘Mom, Mom!’ I called out her name over and over, but she didn’t wake up. As the saying goes, ‘You realize the value of your parents only when they’re no more.’ It was so true. I couldn’t stop regretting. As the youngest of four siblings, I was always spoiled by my mother. She had watched over me with such tenderness and raised me with care. I had become so accustomed to her kindness that I took it for granted and forgot to be grateful. After I went to college and moved out, I rarely visited home and when I called, I would only say what I needed to and hang up quickly. How must she have felt? She must have been lonely. I should have spoken kind words to her and comforted her, just as she had done for me when I was a child.
Esther, I was deeply moved by your dedication today. Thank you for escorting your mother, whose health is not the best, and for translating my English into Spanish for her. Your efforts ensured that she could enjoy her tea ceremony experience. Please continue to cherish your mother, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip in Japan.
