I headed to the arrivals hall of Haneda Airport International Terminal with a bouquet in my hand for the first time in my life. Mom asked me to go by car, but I was going to do so anyway. After all, my dearest Grandma Tamayo is coming all the way back from Paris.

She was hospitalized at the start of the year for emergency treatment after falling over at her apartment and hitting her knees. Mom rushed over to Paris as soon as she heard the news. Grandma had to stay in the hospital for two weeks and despite her efforts in rehabilitation activities, ended up requiring a walking stick.

Understandably, she seemed a bit disheartened during our video call right after she was discharged from the hospital. But she also said this.
You know what? There were good things too. The rehabilitation staff was so sweet and handsome. Do you know the Japanese saying, ‘All human affairs are like old Sai’s horse’? In French, I guess we could say… Il y a de mauvaises choses, mais il y a aussi de bonnes choses, cʼest la vie… (Bad things happen and good things happen… That’s life…)”
Casually showcasing her French over the screen, that’s 85-year-old Grandma Tamayo.

The arrivals door opened, and Grandma Tamayo appeared straight away. She spotted me at nearly the exact same time as I saw her and called out my name.
“Anju!”
I was startled. She was in a wheelchair accompanied by a female attendant. Neatly styled short white hair. Bright red lipstick. Grandma was wearing an eye-catching red sweater and the signature pearl necklace that always adorns her neck.

“Getting injured isn’t all bad when you’re greeted with a white rose bouquet,” Grandma Tamayo said as she buried her face into the bouquet I gave her. Apparently, it’s not that she can’t walk but it takes time to get around with a walking stick, so she opted to get escorted in a wheelchair.
This is so comfy, plus I get to come out before everyone else. What’s not to like?” She said proudly. She really is brilliant.

I asked her to wait at the pick-up area with the attendant as I went to bring my car around. Grandma Tamayo got in the car with the help of the attendant and told her, “Thank you so much for your help. You were amazing, gladly helping me without any sign of difficulty.”

Yes, here it comes! Grandma’s natural charisma is shining through as usual. She doesn’t give false praises, but she makes genuine compliments when she’s truly impressed. Her casual remarks can put a smile on anyone’s face.

But if you think it’s too late for me to achieve my dream, I’ll take your word for it. Because you’re my angel. So if that’s what you truly believe, go ahead and say, ‘Grandma Tamayo, it’s too late!’”

Grandma Tamayo was smart and sneaky. How could I tell her that it’s too late? I could never discourage her from flying towards her dream.

But I too, being a child who shares her genes, was nearly as smart and sneaky as she was. Crying my eyes out, I responded, “No, it’s not late at all. You should make your dream come true, Grandma Tamayo! But please promise me that you’ll come back once you’ve achieved your dream. Promises are made to be kept, not broken. You taught me that, Grandma Tamayo, remember? So you must come back. Promise?”

With tearful eyes, Grandma Tamayo said, “Thank you, mon ange, I love you,” and hugged me tightly. I still distinctly remember the smooth touch of her pearl necklace on my forehead. But Grandma Tamayo was smart and sneaky after all. When she gave me that warm hug, she never said the words, “I promise.”