A Little Rest Given by Chopin’s “Minute Waltz”August 2, 2026 (Sunday) Reiwa8

Last night, I thought I had lost an important identification card that I need at Eden no Sono.

The card is necessary even for meals, so I became very anxious. I searched everywhere in my room late at night. I also took this opportunity to organize the many medical receipts and documents I had collected after moving here, including papers needed for retirement procedures and year-end tax adjustment.

I sorted them carefully and placed them into files. Although I organized many things, I still could not find the card.

Finally, I decided to give up and thought, “I will have it reissued tomorrow.”

Then, just when I was about to go to sleep, I found it between the pages of the book I had studied the day before.

The tension disappeared all at once.

It was already late at night. I noticed that I had a CD of Chopin nearby, so I decided to listen to it. The first piece I heard was Chopin’s “Minute Waltz.”

As I listened to the lively and gentle melody, I suddenly thought:

“I was also running around in circles like that little puppy.”

The story says that Chopin was inspired by a small dog belonging to his lover, George Sand. The puppy chased its own tail and ran around in circles, and this image is reflected in the cheerful movement of the music.

My left arm is still painful.

I continue doing the rehabilitation exercises I have been taught, carefully and without forcing myself. However, today I felt a heavy pain especially in the front of my shoulder.

Sometimes I wonder, “How many more months will it take before this pain disappears?”

It can feel overwhelming.

But I know that I must continue patiently, one step at a time, without giving up.

Soon, there will be a summer festival at Eden no Sono. They will also practice Bon Odori dancing. If my arm were healthy, I would have loved to join.

This year, I may only watch from the side. But I hope that someday I can join everyone with a healthy arm and enjoy the festival.

On Tuesday, there will be the funeral of a close friend from my days in Shizuoka.

She fought pancreatic cancer for one year and eleven months before passing away.

Thinking about life, health, and the preciousness of time, many emotions came to my mind during this quiet night.

At that moment, Chopin’s “Minute Waltz” gently comforted me.

Music cannot remove physical pain.

But sometimes, music can help restore a little strength to the heart.

Tonight, I felt grateful for that small kindness.

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