One day, while Kimiko was helping her son move, she found something unexpected. There was a tin of biscuits at the bottom of a drawer. It was "Biscoitos Duchen," a type of biscuit that she only occasionally ate as a child. She felt nostalgic for it, but she didn't remember leaving it at her son's house. So why had Alex put it away so carefully? She wondered what was in it.

Then, her grandson Marco called out to her, saying, "Bachan, let's go quickly." Since they were moving, they all went out to eat. At that moment, Kimiko asked her son about the biscuit tin. "You can throw that away. It's junk anyway. I don't want to bring old stuff to my new house."

But Kimiko was curious. Before throwing it away, she opened the tin, feeling as if she was opening a treasure box.

Then, some photos came out. "Wow! It's my dad! His trademark hat and gold-rimmed glasses. Next to him, smiling, is Carlos. Shortly after, Carlos had an accident..." It was still painful to remember my eldest son who had passed away. I also found a photo of my late husband. I thought that Alex, who is now 40 years old, is becoming more and more like his father. I was grateful to Alex, who is positive about everything, unlike his father.

At the bottom were three letters. They were messages from Kimiko to her children. They were testament to the bond she had nurtured with them over the two years between 1988 and 1990. They had been stored in a biscuit tin for so long that they were sweet-smelling keepsakes. Far from being thrown away, they were treasured.

* * * * *

Erica, how are you?

Half a year has passed since I came to Japan. It went by so quickly. Of course, when I think of Erika and the others, I want to go back right away, but there's no other way. Mom will do her best!

The work is not as hard as my sister said. The people I take care of are all elderly, so it can be frustrating, but there are also good things. The other day, I received a delicious cake from Nakayama's daughter.

During my free time, I watch TV in the dorm. I often don't understand what I'm watching, but I love seeing singers in pretty clothes and pretty scenery.

Recently, there was a documentary about Brazil. They showed street children in the slums of Rio and the Sé Square in Sao Paulo. The next day, a nurse at the hospital asked me if that was true. I was so embarrassed that I replied, "I didn't see it."

By the way, why did you quit your part-time job, Erika? Ever since you were a child, you've never been able to stick with anything for long, so your mother is worried. Please don't give up on your studies. I beg of you.

Also, since you're in Aunt Tere's care, help her out as much as you can.

Another thing I wonder is if Alex is eating properly because he just loves stuff like hamburgers.

see you.

September 12

From Mom

* * * * *

Erica and Alex

How is everyone? Mom is doing well and doing her best.

It's still autumn here, but it feels cold in the mornings and evenings. The temperature is just like winter in Brazil. It's already summer there. I miss it.

I also work as a helper during my days off at the hospital. I started working there after being introduced to this by a nurse, Ms. Mori.

Last week I looked after a little boy who had been sick in bed with a cold. His mother couldn't take time off work, so he was home alone. He had a high fever and no appetite, which I felt sorry for. But I made the minga de maizena, which I often make for you guys, and the little boy ate it. When you were kids, we didn't have much money, and we struggled, but I'm glad that Mommy was able to take care of you guys properly.

I went to visit an elderly person who lives with my son and his wife several times. The grandfather had an injury to his leg and could not walk, so I was asked to help him with toilet and bathing. The daughter-in-law was always at home, but she did not take care of the grandfather, but instead watched TV and chatted on the phone. The grandfather looked sad.

I also went to the home of another elderly person. The first time I met her was at the hospital. She had been hospitalized because she had developed pneumonia from a cold. I was worried about what had happened to her this time, but the grandmother welcomed me with a smile.

When I entered the room, there was a small cake on the table. Grandma offered me a chair and said, "Momo-chan will be here soon, so let's wait." She looked very happy.

I just stood there not knowing what was going on, when the doorbell rang. I went to open the door and there was a cute girl standing there.

"Momo-chan, please come in," said the old lady, welcoming her warmly. The little girl shyly handed over the piece of paper she had been holding in her hand. The old lady carefully placed it on the table and looked at it with joy. It was a picture Momo-chan had drawn. In the middle of many flowers was an old lady with a round face. She was wearing bright red lipstick and smiling.

Grandma offered some cake to Momo-chan and me.

Then, someone called out from outside, "Momo, hurry up and come back. Don't disturb Grandma." The girl hurried out.

I found out later that the old lady lived with her son's family. Two years ago, on the way to her daughter-in-law's parents' house, her son, his wife, and her 5-year-old granddaughter were in an accident, and all three died. Since then, the old lady has been living alone, and before she knew it, she had begun to think of Momo-chan, who lived next door, as her own granddaughter.

After meeting these grandparents, Mama began to wonder if money was the only important thing to live. Of course, you can't live without money, but how lonely it would be without "love."

Please wait for Mom to come home. Work and study, and wait with hope. Erica and Alex are Mom's treasures. No matter how far apart we are, no matter how far apart we are, we are all family. Precious family. Please don't ever forget that.

November 20

From Mom

* * * * *

Dear Alex,

Today was my last day in the hospital.

I never expected it, but they even gave me a farewell party. They even sent me bouquets of flowers and sweets as presents. After saying goodbye to everyone and about to leave the hospital, the "boss" came running up behind me. The "boss" was the head nurse, and I had thought he disliked me for the past two years, but on that day, he seemed like a different person. He even gave me a present and said, "If you have another chance, please come to Japan. Japanese-Brazilians are earnest, hardworking people, and are a necessary resource for Japan today." Mom was so moved that she couldn't help but tear up, so she couldn't see the "boss'" face clearly.

I was in Japan for two years. It's hard to believe. It was a fun and fulfilling period that felt both long and short.

I'm busy packing now. I don't think I'll ever come back to Japan, so I want to go to my grandpa's hometown, but I don't have any relatives there, so I'm not sure what to do.

By the way, is it true that you haven't seen Erika for over a year? Mommy is really worried. I know that Aunt Tere is a newlywed with her husband who is a year younger than her, but Erika must have been with him before then. I can't accept that they would just leave her there without knowing where she is now. Anyway, I intend to resolve this issue when I get back to Brazil.

When I see a mother and daughter who seem to get along well, I feel jealous. Last week, Nakayama-san and her daughter came to visit me. They went on a shopping trip to Hong Kong and gave me a nice handbag and sweater. Their daughter, Emi, looks younger than before, and we talked a lot. She said she was getting married in June. At that time, when I told them that I was no longer in Japan, they seemed disappointed. I'm sorry too. I wanted to see a Japanese wedding once.

That's all for today. See you in Brazil.

See you on the 11th at 5am in São Paulo. Ciao!

March 4th

From Mom

* * * * *

The bond between family members who left their hometowns is only a phone call away
...It doesn't reach me...
Words and feelings that don't connect The factory is a battlefield of sweat and tears Everyone, do your best Hurry, hurry, hurry I want to go home quickly, I want to see you quickly

The only word in the world
S A U D A D E

© 2012 Laura Honda-Hasegawa