Care with life
By Edu Coimbra em 18/11/05

While I write, I enjoy a good wine which, as a friend of mine always says, “is good for health and pleases the most demanding taste”. In fact, as most physicians believe, the red wine has a high power of medicinal cure, as it helps the organism to produce substances which eliminate the build up of fat on heart arteries. Behaving this way and trusting in the word and competence of these professionals, it is possible to avoid future problems with a habitual glass of wine.

Coincidence to be drinking now the prescripted daily glass? In fact, many are the examples that we should copy from this country with high rates of longevity. For such reason, it is necessary to talk about a few curious situations found at the streets of Tokyo in order to illustrate this article.

It’s October and the temperatures are still over twenty five degrees. I wake up early to take a walk towards the public park located a few blocks from my house. Still under the effect of the noise caused by the kids going to school, the strident singing of the huge black birds (karasus) searching for food left on garbage cans and the commotion of workers in front of the railway station, I follow with firm steps in the direction of my objective.

Finally, I find peace at the obedient silence of flowers and the shadow of the trees disperse all over the park: a stadium of natural green. It was a special day because it was the first time which I entered the park before seven in the morning. I didn’t know that a big surprise was in store for me – unforgettable for its magic, grace and unique character.

At first, just a few people, of various ages, circled at a steady pace. As time went by, the flow increased more and more. A peculiarity was noticed: the infinity of seniors above seventy five years old wearing pants, shirts and snickers coming from every part and forming a human sea of third aged people. I imagined the reason for such gathering.

The answer did not take long to come...

An old lady, apparently a community leader, stood in front of the others and turned on the radio. At her command, following the guidance of a voice from the radio waves, the seniors started to exercise with fabulous harmony and performance. An amazing demonstration of the human splendor at a moment of joy, concentration and pleasure for life!

Before finishing my walk, I passed by the “peeing area", a spot for animals to make their necessities on the way back home. But there was still time to observe another place occupied by a different group of seniors playing gate-ball, a traditional sport among the country citizens. In some corners of all neighborhoods, they have specific spots for the practice of gate-ball and national championships are played. The concern about senior citizens health is a reality here. I wish I could say the same about other countries.

But now is time to finish my wine…


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