30代から40代初めの頃は、駐在妻の友人も少なくなかった。
年齢と共に、子供の受験や就職などで家族を帯同しない赴任者が増え、
周囲に残った友人は、およそ半永住組しかいない。
そんななか、例外的に、ニューヨーク駐在23年という友人がいた。
スイスとニューヨークで３人の子供を育て、いわば海外駐在のプロ中のプロ。
このタフな街で暮らしてきた偉大な経験と、持ち合わせた面倒見の良い性格で、
マンハッタンの姉として、誰もが心から慕っていた。
そんな彼女が、ついに日本に帰任することになった。
辞令の予告と共に、帰国後の自宅の手筈を整えて、どこまでも完璧。
彼女の存在の代わりは、決して誰にもできない。
また一人、大事な友が、帰っていく。
When I was in my 30s and early 40s, I had many expatriate wives.
As we got older, the number of expatriates who did not bring their families with them increased due to their children's exams and employment.
The friends after they had left were almost semi-permanent residents.
One exception is a friend who has lived in New York for 23 years.
She has raised his three children in Switzerland and New York and is, in a sense, a professional among professionals who have lived overseas.
With her great experience of living in this tough city and her caring personality, she was the sister of Manhattan, and everyone loved her dearly.
Her family is finally going to return to Japan.
With the notice of her resignation, she made arrangements for her home back home, perfect in every way.
No one will ever be able to replace her presence.
Another precious friend is leaving.