Aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process and, depending on the culture, the elderly are seen from different perspectives. In some countries, mainly Eastern countries, there is a view of respect and consideration for the elderly, a concept that is not repeated, as a rule, in other societies, which are even considered a hindrance.
What cannot be hidden is the observation of the considerable increase in the number of elderly people in almost all countries, particularly in the most developed ones, and even in Brazil, the increasingly intense presence of “old people”, thus considered those who have already surpassed the age of feared age limit of 60. Merely formal definition, given the vigor and disposition that people in this age group normally present nowadays. Members of the Third Age, between 60 and 80 and even 90 years old, are increasingly present in public spaces, such as restaurants, cinemas, theaters, excursions, shopping malls, a healthy indication of the improvement in standard and quality of life that has been occurring in recent years. decades.
Even in our ethnic group, of which we are a part, where we tend to revere and respect the elderly, this attitude has been undergoing change, with younger generations not showing the same commitment to their elderly parents or, at the very least, facing the situation in a different way. superficial, as if it weren't their thing. There is difficulty in sharing responsibilities and obligations between children. There is hardly any consensus on the division of tasks. Everything ends up falling on someone's shoulders, usually one of the daughters.
Given this context, it is surprising what happens in the Hatanaka-san family, where young Washington Hatanaka Jr. , one of my best friends, is the youngest of 4 brothers. Júnior, as he is affectionately treated by his family, is a brilliant executive in the foreign trade area, mastering the English and Spanish languages and with a professional “background” of the richest, even so, due to a well thought out and rethought personal decision, he decided to abdicate momentarily from his career, to dedicate himself body and soul to his family, that is, to take care of his mother, D. Ivete , and his older sister, Tomie, a retired nurse, both of whom need direct personal assistance.
D. Ivete , widowed for many years, well lived in her 90s, friendly, talkative, fluent in Japanese and Portuguese, unfortunately has been experiencing nerve-motor difficulties that limit her ability to walk and cook, further aggravated by vision problems. His sister, Tomie , a retired civil servant, spent her entire career in state and municipal public services, in the health sector. However, he has suffered serious problems with his lower limbs that prevent him from moving around. A complicated and worrying scenario that required a priority decision from the family and, contrary to common sense, he, Washington , decided spontaneously, even though he was the youngest, to take on the responsibility of “full-time” care for the “girls”, as he usually refers to them. affectionately towards the women of the house, perhaps trusting in their qualities as a “domestic administrator”. And, it’s not like he did better than the order!
The friendship between us, solid and even untimely, arose when we worked together at the last company, Avance do Brasil, a Japanese multinational that allowed us this closeness which, in addition to the affinity of temperament and culture, was facilitated by the proximity of our homes. We live practically in the same neighborhood, allowing us to often contact each other for a cup of coffee, where we take the opportunity to “make small talk” and relax a little from our daily tasks. “This coffee with friends”, confesses Washington , “is used to relax a little from the hard work I have to do in the kitchen! It’s not easy, no, cooking every day, lunch and dinner”, he says.
And, it was in these meetings, in informal chats that I ended up getting to know this other side of my friend, as surprising as his other personal and professional qualifications are brilliant. He turned out to be a great chef de cuisine ! That's right, chef, not a simple cook! How this man cooks! His talent ranges from Japanese to French, Brazilian and contemporary cuisine, his knowledge is so eclectic. How many tips did I receive from my friend, with their respective recipes on how to make a good “baked cod, Oswaldo Aranha fillet, marinara spaghetti, Catarina risotto, roast pork ribs with sweet and sour sauce, etc, etc.”, valuable information that They went in one ear and out the other, as if they were winds, such was my interest (or lack of interest, rather) in cooking. Excuse me, my friend, I'm simply a good gourmet !
But, surprising is the affection, care and patience with which he dedicates himself to this work, just like a mission, without measuring time and effort to please his “girls”. Each day deserves a different menu, some simpler, others more elaborate, but all prepared with equal care. And, it should be noted that the service is complete. From purchasing the products, making the dishes, preparing the table, to the final cleaning of the kitchen, without delegating anything to the “girls”.
Obviously, I asked where this knowledge came from, knowing in advance that the Hatanakas had been a renowned family, prominent in the city of Bastos, in the interior of the State of São Paulo. His grandfather, Senjiro, had been the city's founder, his uncle Tadao, the city's first Nikkei mayor, and his father, a prominent businessman. With his usual simplicity, he replied that, in part, it was due to his curiosity and interest in cooking, leading him to research and read about the subject. However, he attributes the main school to the period when he was still young and recently graduated, he accompanied his father, who at the time had invested in land in the Cerrado Mineiro Region, in full development but with almost no structure, no hotel, no restaurants.
He lived in small towns, on farms and farms and there he had to learn how to cook, prepare basic things like rice and beans, using dried meat, bacon, and where he acquired the basic concepts of seasoning, which have been very useful to him to this day. However, more than these reasons, I attribute it to my friend's innate talent for cooking. I already told him, teasing him, that one day, quietly, I will enter his name in MasterChef , the famous television chef competition. It's one of the rare times he gets serious, upset...
And, not just cooking worries the friend. The “girls” require a lot of care, as they need to be taken to the doctor periodically for clinical and laboratory examinations and physiotherapy. They need someone to do household shopping and ongoing medication; company to take walks from time to time. The bills that have to be paid. The list is extensive...
All of this, however, is faced in a natural and admirably supportive way by this human being with a rare heart, a friendly shoulder at all times, a true angel who goes by the name Washington or Junior, as he is called by those closest to him. As my other golden friend, Carlos , said Ianaze, Washington will have a place in heaven, for sure!
© 2018 Katsuo Higuchi
