私は築100年超えの養蚕農家だった山梨の山間部の母の実家を相続して住んでいるわけですが。
八月の今、家に居て降る様な蝉の声を聞き雲ひとつない青い空や庭の花に集まる蜜蜂を見ていると、小学生の頃毎年夏中この家に姉と預けられていた時を思い出す。
従兄弟の兄弟も預けられていてここは夏中続く林間学校のようで、姉と従兄弟達と裏山を走って登り、前の川で水遊びをして、トンボを取って、毎日オヤツにお祖母ちゃんが出してくれるみつ豆の缶詰をとっておいてポックリを作って遊んだりした。
お祖父ちゃんがクレヨンや色紙を買ってきてくれて、ハサミやヤマト糊と一緒にそれぞれ小さい紙箱に自分用の「お道具セット」を作って、毎年夏になるとそれを出してもらって使った。
まだ駅そばのスーパー(忠実屋→ダイエー→AEON)がなくて、何か広い会場で盆踊りや花火を見た。(仕掛け花火が壮観だった)
今大人になって思えば、なんと手をかけて面倒を見てもてなしてもらっていたんだろう。
お祖父ちゃんお祖母ちゃん、独身だった頃の叔父さん叔母さん、お隣の大叔母さんの御一家、感謝しかない。
毎日神棚に手を合わせて仏壇にお参りをしているけれど、優しくしてもらっていた事を思い出すたびにあらためてその瞬間もその場で実際に手を合わせて感謝を伝える。子供でわかんなかったけど、本当にありがとうございました、と。
アタシは独り者で恩送りできないんだけどさ。





恒例のDeepL による英訳。


I inherited my mother's house in the mountains of Yamanashi, which was once a silkworm farm built over 100 years ago, and now live there.

 In August, as I sit at home listening to the relentless chirping of cicadas, gazing at the cloudless blue sky, and watching bees gather around the flowers in the garden, I am reminded of the summers of my childhood when I was sent to this house every year with my older sister.

 My cousins were also staying here, and it felt like a summer camp that lasted all summer. My sister and cousins would run and climb the back mountain, play in the river in front of the house, catch dragonflies, and save the canned MITUMAME that our grandmother would give us as a snack every day to make "pockuli" and play with it.

 My grandfather would buy crayons and colored paper, and we would each make our own "art supply set" in small paper boxes with scissors and Yamato glue. Every summer, we would take them out and use them.

 There was no supermarket near the station yet (Chujitsuya → Daiei → AEON), so we watched bon odori dances and fireworks at a large venue. (The fireworks displays were spectacular.)

 Now that I'm an adult, I realize how much effort and care went into hosting us.

 Grandfather, grandmother, my unmarried uncle and aunt, and the family of my great-aunt next door—I can only express gratitude.

 Every day, I bow my hands at the  house shrine and pay respects at the Buddhist altar, but every time I recall the kindness I received, I once again bow my hands at that moment and express my gratitude. Even though I was a child and didn't understand, I truly thank them.

 Unfortunately, I am single and cannot pass on the kindness I have received.