梅捥ぎ始まる

　いつもお世話に生ってる喫茶店へ家で生った梅を、先程、持って行きました。時々、ドイツ製のピアノを弾かせて戴いてる恩返しです。

Dear my friends

　I have just harvested a basketful of plums from my garden for the coffee shop that I frequently visited. I go there occasionally, about twice a week throughout the year, so I've probably been there 150 times since they opened two years ago. It's also present for repaying their kindness, as they sometimes let me play their German-made piano. The owner seemed happy and was smiling.

今日は「いきいき健幸クラブ」でピアノ伴奏を頑張ります。

　どうしたことでしょう。今月に入ってから拙い「ブログ」へアクセスが多くなり、連日、数百から１０００件を越え、有難いことです。しかし、内容がなかなか伴わず申し訳ない気持ちです。私は、ブログ内容は原則的にフェイスブックと同じにしてます。しかし、ブログの方は個人のホームページなので、どなたでも検索によって入れるからでしょう。タイトルをPersimmon March Loft【柿沼鳩舎】としてあるので、海外からのアクセスも考えられます。

　ブログは今から２０年前に始め、最初は主としてレース鳩の訓練方法や餌など飼育法について日々の体験を書きました。しかし、現在は鳩を飼育してないので、その内容は変化し、主として高齢期の健康法、人間の喜びとは、音楽演奏の喜び、特に植物と共にある生活や、その育て方をテーマに気づいたことを書いてます。昔の思い出より、日々「新たな体験や実践」が肝心と心してます。

　ところで、昨日は緊張しつつ「認知症検査」を受けました。運転免許の書き換えのためです。やはり、高齢期では身体の健康と共に「脳への新たな刺激」こそ認知症対策に大切であると感じます。一般的に７０才を超えると、脳の萎縮が加速すると言われます。このため、一人暮らしの私は、前向きにしっかり生活しなければなりません。

　普段から活動的に過ごすことで運動量も増え、同時に、いろいろの方との会話を心掛け、昔のことに拘らず、新たに挑戦する意欲、必要なことを記憶し、可能であれば「発想力や創造性」を磨き、また「感情を切り替える能力」ではないでしょうか。年令に関係なく、未知の体験はドキドキワクワクするので、脳は活性化すると考えられます。今日は「いきいき健幸クラブ」で「みかんの花咲く丘」など歌のピアノ伴奏を頑張ります。

Dear my friends who are researching the real joy of human.

　What's the matter? Since the beginning of this month, my humble blog has been getting a lot of access, exceeding several hundred to over a thousand visits daily, which I'm very grateful for. However, I feel sorry that the content isn't up to par. I generally keep the blog content the same as my Facebook page. However, since the blog is a personal homepage, anyone can find it through their search. Because the title is "Persimmon March Loft [Kakinuma Pigeon Loft]," I think there might be traffic from overseas as well.

　I started the blog 20 years ago, initially writing mainly about my daily experiences with training methods and feeding techniques for racing pigeons. However, since I no longer raise pigeons, the content has changed. Now, I mainly write about health practices for seniors, the joys of being human, the joy of playing music, and especially my experiences living with plants and how to cultivate them. I believe that daily "new experiences and practices" are more essential than writing about past memories.

　Not change the subject, but yesterday I nervously underwent a "dementia test." It was for renewing my driver's license. I believe that in old age, along with physical health, "new stimulation for the brain" is crucial. It's generally said that brain atrophy accelerates after the age of 70. Therefore, as living alone, I must live a life effectively to address myself to dementia.

　To achieve this, I need to increase my exercise, engage in conversations with various people, embrace new challenges without recalling the past, remember necessary information, cultivate "imagination and creativity" if possible, and develop the "ability to manage emotions." Regardless of age, new experiences are exciting and thrilling. Today, I'll be playing piano accompaniment for singing at the "Vivid Health Club."

　

連休明けは「さんぽ道」でリラックス

　ゴールデンウィークが終わったので、早速、今日の午後、愛車ＴＴで喫茶「さんぽ道」へ行ったところ客は連休疲れでしょうか。誰もいなくてずっと一人でした。

　ここへは私はいつも一人で行きます。仲の良かった友人が皆天国に行ってしまったので仕方ありません。アイスコーヒーをすすりつつ、読書したり、その後、気分を変えるため、ピアノを弾かせて戴き、暫くぶりに1時間ほどリラックスできました。

　今日、弾いた曲は「カリンカ」c moll、「コロブチカ」c moll、「悲しき天使」 c mollです。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJyDQcuO38

　Now that Golden Week is over in Japan, therefore I immediately went to my favorite café "Sampomichi" this afternoon on my beloved Audi TT Quattro. Perhaps due to fatigue after the holidays, there was no customers there. I was completely alone the whole time.

　Against my real will, unwillingly I always go there alone, because all my close friends have passed away except for Mr. Barry in NZ. I sipped iced coffee, read a book to be a centenarian. And then, to change my mood, I played the piano under the permission by Mama. It was after a long interval I'd been able to relax for about an hour.

　The music I played today were "Kalinka" in C minor, "Korobushka" in C minor, and "Sad Angel" in C minor.

今日は新たな船出の日

 

　今日４月２１日の日の出は５時０３分、太陽高度は６５°【因みに冬至は３０°、夏至は７７°】、日の入りは１８時２３分予定ですから、昼は１３時間２０分という長い時間になります。年間でも気候が本当に良い季節ですから、外に出て身体を柔軟に鍛えたり、植物など自然の色彩を大いに満喫したいと思います。実は、恥ずかしながら、その昔の今日、倉賀野神社で結婚式を挙げた記念日で、私にも希望に満ちた青春があったのです。それに比較し、現在はどうしたことでしょう。

　ところで、今は青春時代ではありませんが、心では新たな事に挑戦したい気持ちに満ちてます。実は、明後日に開かれる地区の「いきいき健幸クラブ」ではピアノ伴奏を依頼されており、新たに二部合唱も計画してます。果たして、上手く行くでしょうか。いつもの如く、平素、無意識に話す声と、意識して歌う声は違うことを認識し、歌う声は母音が長く伸び、高低の音程があります。発声練習では上はＧの音まで、下も２オクターブ下のＧまでは十分に出せるよう発声練習に重点を置きたいです。「声が伸び伸び出る事は健康であり、生きてる証」と共通認識を持とうと思います。

　一方、私自身は新たな人との交流を目指してます。今までよく行ってたのはその名も喫茶「さんぽ道」ですが、同様に、今回も同じく「あつこさんのページ」に刺激され、実は私の家の比較的近くにある喫茶で今度の名は「さんぽ屋」と言い、今日行ってみます。果たして、新たな世界が開かれるでしょうか。聞くところによると、夜はビールなども出るそうで、環境に左右されやすい私はのめり込まないでしょうか。

Dear my friends who like singing and drinking

　Today, April 21st, sunrise was at 5:03 AM, the sun's altitude will be 65° in Gumma Prefecture, Japan (for comparison, it's 30° at the winter solstice and 77° at the summer solstice), and sunset will be 6:23 PM, resulting in a long daylight hours of 13 hours and 20 minutes. It's truly a wonderful season of the year with beautiful weather, so I'd like to go outside, stretch my body, and fully enjoy the colors of nature, especially the plants. Actually, I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but today marks the anniversary of my wedding at Kuragano-Shrine, a time when I was full of hopeful youth. Compared to then, what have become of me now?

　Not change the subject, but although I'm no longer in youth, I'm filled with a desire to try new plans. In fact, I've been asked to play piano accompaniment at the local "Lively Health Club" meeting the day after tomorrow, and we're also planning a new two-part chorus. I wonder if it will go well. As always, I'm reminded that our speaking voice, which I use unconsciously, is different from our singing voice. Singing voices have longer vowels and a range of pitches. In vocal exercises, I want to focus on being able to comfortably sing up to a G note and down to a G two octaves lower. We should share the understanding that "being able to sing freely is a sign of health and being alive."

　Meanwhile, I am aiming to interact with new people from now on. I used to frequent a coffee shop called "Sampo-michi," but similarly, inspired by Facebook friend "Atsuko's page," I'm going to a coffee shop relatively close to my house called "Sanpoya" today. Will a new world open up for me? I hear this Cafe serve beer in the evening, so I wonder if I might be easily influenced by new environment, because I tends to fall into evil way in it.

水道の修復に挑戦・・・やればできるを体験

　子供の頃、将来なりたい夢は大工でした。これは私の家に出入りしてた大工さんの仕事をよく見ていて、創意工夫があり楽しそうだったからです。このため、若き日からレース鳩を飼育してた半世紀の間に自ら鳩舎を幾度も作ったもので、親に褒められるほど結構、上手に出来ました。ところが、現実に大工でなく、第九などを教える仕事に就いたのですから１８０°の転換で、人生とは不思議なものです。これは高校時代の音楽の先生による強引な進路指導によるものでした。

　ところで、昨日、庭の植物に水遣りしていたら、急に蛇口の所から水が吹き出してしまいました。おそらく使いが激しいため内部のパッキンが摩耗したのでしょう。大工仕事は得意でも、水道を治したことはなく、結局、業者にお願いしようと思いました。ところが、もしかして、内部の部品を交換すれば治るのではないかと気づき、急遽、ホームセンターで探したところ、写真左下の水道用パッキン２個があり手に入れました。交換しようとしましたが、これが素人では結構難しく、結局、1時間以上もかかりました。

　それでも、やっとのことで修復し、ご覧の通り、勢いよく水が出たときにはホッとしました。費用は僅か２８５円です。業者に依頼すれば、安くても数千円かかったかもしれません。これで暫くは水道の蛇口で不便はないでしょうし、もし、あっても経験したので今度はすぐに直せます。

　今回、初めて「蛇口直し」に挑戦したのは勉強になりました。これからも今までの体験のみを振り返ることなく、新たな事に挑戦して、一人で生きることに自信をつけたいものです。明日は公民館で楽しみな「くらカフェ」が開かれ、倉賀野の住民の方々との交流会です。明後日１７日は、これまた楽しみな「バス旅行」で、工場見学や、入浴、昼食とこちらも新たな出会いを楽しみにしてます。高齢期を「日々、生き生きワクワクして生きるには新たな体験、新たな発想」へのチャレンジが大切と思っています。

　

Dear my friends who are crazy about new challenging

　When I was a child, my dream was to become a carpenter. This was because I often watched the carpenter who came to my house at work, his work seemed creative and enjoyable. Because of this, during the half-century I was raising racing pigeons, so I built several pigeon lofts by myself, and it was made quite good at it, even I was praised by my parents. However, in reality, I didn't become a carpenter, but instead ended up teaching Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, this is a 180-degree turn. Life is strange, isn't it? This was due to the forceful career guidance of my high school music teacher.

　By the way, yesterday, while watering the plants in my garden, water suddenly gushed out from the faucet. It was probably due to heavy use in many years and the internal gasket had worn out. Although I'm good at carpentry, I'd never fixed a plumbing system before, so I thought I'd have to call a professional. However, I suddenly realized that maybe I could fix it by replacing an internal part, so I quickly searched at a home center store and found two faucet gaskets (shown in the lower left of the photo). I tried to replace it, but it was quite difficult for an amateur, and in the end, it took me over an hour.

　Even so, I finally managed to repair it, and as you can see, I was relieved when the water started flowing strongly. The cost was only 285 yen. If I had hired a professional, it might have cost several thousand yen, even at the cheapest rate. From now on I will not have any problems with the water tap for a while, and even if it does break down again, I've learned from this experience so I can fix it quickly next time.

　This was my first attempt at "tightening a tap," and it was a valuable learning experience. From now on, I will challenge myself with new things without just looking back at past experiences, and gain confidence in living independently. Tomorrow, the exciting "Kura Cafe" will be held at the community center, a get-together with the residents of Kuragano-town. The day after tomorrow, the 17th, is another exciting "bus trip," where we look forward to factory tours, bathing, lunch, and new encounters. I believe that in order to live a vibrant and exciting life every day in old age, it's important for us to challenge with new experiences and new ideas.

花の季節の到来に心和む日々

 

　４月のカレンダーに書いてある言葉がなるほど思ってます。それは「花あって安らぎ、愛あって人和む」です。これは現在の私の心境にぴったりです。画像は廊下の紫陽花と庭で膨らみつつある牡丹の蕾です。太陽を浴びつつ、これらに井戸水をたっぷり与えることで一日が始まり、誠に心安らぐ時です。それは花には明るくにこやかな表情があるからでしょう。

　２～３ヶ月に一度、埼玉県花園や前橋花木センターなどに行き植木を見て回っていると、時々、魅力ある花と運命のように出合い、惹き付けられてしまい、「家においで」と、心で叫んでしまいます。このため、私の庭にある植物の殆どは最初はそうして来たものばかりです。明るい表情と共に色彩が色とりどりで、ここが私の好きな音楽に共通してます。音楽の喜びは「透通った音色と和声の美しさ」と感じています。

　ところで、植物と人間は違います。植物の場合は、私が魅力を感じれば、比較的簡単に手に入ります。しかし、人間の場合、心から魅力を感じていても、「その地にしっかり根を張ってる」ので手に入れられません。もしかして時間をかけ、あるいは状況が変化すれば、チャンス到来はあると長い目で見ることが必要なのでしょう。「愛あって人和む」は人間の究極の喜びと感じてます。

Dear my friends who are fascinated with flowers, music and human

　The words written on the April calendar really resonate with my heart. It says "Flowers bring peace in our heart, love brings harmony to us." This perfectly describes my current situation. The picture shows hydrangeas in the hallway and peony buds swelling in the garden. My day begins with basking in the sun and giving plants plenty of well water, it's a truly peaceful time for me. Perhaps it's because flowers have such bright, cheerful expressions.

　Every two or three months, I visit the Saitama Prefectural Hanazono and the Maebashi Flower and Tree Center to look at plants. Sometimes, I encounter a captivating flower as if by fate, and I'm fascinated with it, calling out in heart, "Come my home!" Because of this, most of the plants in my garden initially came from this heart. Their bright expressions and vibrant colors are similar to my love of music. I feel that the joys of music is the "beauty of its clear, transparent tone and harmony."

　By the way, plants and humans are different in a sense. In the case of plants, if I am fascinated, I can acquire them relatively easily. However, in the case of humans, even if I feel genuinely attracted to her, I cannot possess her because she is "firmly rooted in her place." Perhaps it is necessary for me to take a long-term perspective, believing that an opportunity may arise if it takes a long time or if circumstances unexpectedly change in the future. I believe that "love brings harmony to people" is the ultimate joy for humanity.

　

本格的に咲き出した「源平枝垂れ桃」

【画像をクリックし拡大すると、ピントが合います。】

　写真は「源平枝垂れ」です。１０年ほど前に手に入れたもので、築山の頂上で開花です。不思議なことに、一本の樹木に薄いピンクと白の二色が咲いてます。しかも、枝先が垂れ下がり、樹形に優しさがあります。実は、この花桃の幹はＳ状に曲がっており、花が咲いてない時季でも、樹形は鑑賞に値します。

　私が世話するのは、四方八方から眺めては時々余分な枝を剪定し、全体的な樹形を調整することです。また、今より一回り大きくなるように育てています。築山の頂上は池のようになっており、開花が始まった現在は朝晩、ここに水を入れ、水分不足にならぬようにしてます。お近くで梅を見に来られなかった方は、この源平枝垂れ桃を見にいらして下さい。

　年間を通じて花の咲く樹木をいろいろ育てているのは、あるいは「音楽のハーモニー」に共通する面があるからかもしれません。現在、庭では黄色の枝垂れレンギョウ、写真の枝垂れ桃の子供で紅のみが咲いてる花桃、真っ白なユキヤナギ、たくさんの黄色い水仙で、庭は恰もオーケストラのようです。

　一方、室内では６鉢の赤い君子蘭が咲き、昨日は市役所の方や、あんしんセンターの方とピンクと黄色のシンビジウムを眺めつつ、和やかに歓談できました。

Dear my friends who are crazy about vernal flowers and orchestra music

　The photo shows a "Bicolored Weeping Peach Tree". I got it about 10 years ago from the plant center in Maebashi-City, and it's currently in bloom at the top of the artificial mound. Strangely enough, it blooms two colors of flowers, a light pink and white on a single tree. Furthermore, its branches droop, as you can see, giving it a gentle form. In fact, the trunk of this flowering is curved in the S-shape, making its form beautiful even when it's not in bloom.

　My care involves observing it from all directions, occasionally pruning any excess branches, and adjusting the overall shape. I'm also trying to raise it to be a bit tree. The top of the artificial mound is like a small pond, and now that it's in bloom, I water it morning and evening to prevent it from drying out. If you're in the area and couldn't come to see the plum blossoms, please come and see this Bicolored Weeping Peach Tree. I am waiting for you to the core.

　Perhaps the reason I cultivate various trees that bloom throughout the year is because they share some similarities with "musical harmony." Currently, the garden is like an orchestra including many kinds of instrument, such as yellow weeping forsythia, a flowering peach tree which is a descendant of the weeping peach tree pictured with only red blossoms, pure white spirea, and many yellow daffodils.

　Meanwhile, indoors, six pots of red Kaffir lilies are in bloom. Yesterday I had a pleasant conversation with city hall lady official and lady staff from the safety center while admiring the pink and yellow cymbidium orchids.

明日は楽しい「いきいき健幸クラブ」

　変わった体験や、独創的な英語勉強法など、自分とは異なる生き方、異なる道を歩んできた人など、いわば異質の人との出会いは、今後の自分の生活に何かと重宝な情報を齎してくれるものです。最初は照れくさくても、知らない人にも勇敢に話しかける習慣を持つと今後のために何かと有利に感じます。

　一方、同じ境遇や同じ会社の人のみと話しても、一般的には同様のことを考えることが多く、得られる有益な情報、勉強法は限定的でしょう。

　今日は午前１０時より、上4集会所「ふるさと」で、明日行われる「いきいき健幸クラブ」の打ち合わせ会議があります。現役時代とは全く異なる地区の方々と「その内容について」の検討会です。女性指導者の下、平素、動かすことが少ない手足や全身の体操、「みんな間体操」などをしますが、後半に、私はピアノ伴奏を仰せつかっているので、発声練習後、会員全員で懐かしい童謡、昔誰でも歌った歌、誰でも知ってる歌を声高らかに歌います。

　現代は核家族が多く、人と話す機会がない傾向です。そのためにも腹式呼吸を会得し、しっかり声を出し、正しい音程で、正しいリズムでみんなで一緒に情感豊かに歌えば、気持ちの上で明るくなるでしょう。今日の会議では、先ず、５曲ほどの曲目選びから始まり、その歌詞カードを作り、マイムマイム、コロブチカなどフォークダンスなども決めます。残念なのは、私は伴奏するので女性と一緒に踊れないことです。

Dear my friends who like singing and dancing

　Meeting people who are different from me, meeting people who have unusual experiences, creative English study methods, different lifestyles, or different paths, can provide valuable information for our future life. Even if we feel shy at first, I feel that the habit of boldly approaching strangers will be beneficial for our future.

　On the other hand, if we only talk to people in the same situation or same company, we'll likely find that we're generally thinking similar things, as the result, the useful information and new study methods we gain will be limited, I guess.

　Today, starting at 10:00 AM, we'll be holding a meeting at the Furusato Kamiyon 4th Community Center to discuss tomorrow's "Active health Club." We'll discuss the content of the meeting with people from a completely different area than when we are active. Under the guidance of a lady instructor, we'll be doing exercises like "Minna-no Exercises," which involve exercising the arms, legs, and entire body, which we don't normally use much. In the second half of the session, I've been asked to provide piano accompaniment, so after some vocal training, all members will sing nostalgic children's songs, songs everyone used to sing, and songs everyone knows.

　Nowadays, there are many nuclear families, therefore, people tend not to have many opportunities to talk to others. For this reason, if we can master abdominal breathing, use a strong voice, sing with the right pitch and rhythm, and sing emotionally together, we will feel much brighter. At today's meeting, we will start by selecting five songs, then print lyric sheets for them, and decide on folk dances such as Maim Maim and Kolobchka. The unfortunate thing is that I will be accompanying, so I will not be able to dance with the ladies.

いろいろ体験を通し、発想を豊かにしたい

　３月中旬になり、町内の予定も色々増えてきました。今日は倉賀野町上四地区の令和８年度総会に向けた事前の会計監査が行われます。役員である私は午前中、この一年間の地区の収入・支出について正確を期して、もう一人の会計監査の人と照合しなくてはなりません。地区の仕事を仰せつかることは大変ですが、責任をしっかり果たしたいと思います。

　地区の行事と言えば、楽しいこともあり、来月中旬にはバス旅行が計画されてます。こちらは会社見学と、その後、入浴、懇親会といろいろの人との出会いや交流があり、私は参加予定です。日々、目新しいことを求め、精神と肉体に刺激を与えて生活することほど、高齢期にとって有意義なことはありません。

　ところで、このところのイランの情勢を受け、米国株価、並びに日経平均株価は記録的な値下がりを続けてます。私は起床するとすぐに見るものは米国ダウ、及びナスダックで、特にナスダックです。今朝はのこれらは予想外に上昇してるのにはホッとしました。しかし、未だ暫くは警戒しなくてはなりません。

　高齢期を一人で生きる基本は、何と言っても先ず健康のために日々運動を実践し、空腹にすることです。そして、世界経済の流れを凝視すること、もう一つはいろいろ体験し、発想を豊かにすることが必須と考えてます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about world economy

　It's already mid-March, and things are starting to get hectic in the small town. Today, a preliminary accounting audit will be held for the 2026 general meeting of the Kami-4th district of Kuragano Town. As an officer, I must spend the morning checking the district's income and expenses for the past year with another auditor to ensure accuracy. It's a lot of work to be entrusted with for the district, but I intend to fulfill my responsibilities.

　Speaking of district events, there will be some fun planning, such as a bus trip for mid-next month. This will include a company tour, followed by a bath and a social gathering, and opportunities to meet and interact with many people, therefore I plan to participate. There is nothing more meaningful in old age than seeking out new things every day and stimulating the mind and body.

　By the way, in recent situation in Iran, US stock prices and the Nikkei average have been hitting record lows. When I wake up, the first thing I look at is the Dow and Nasdaq, especially the Nasdaq. I was relieved to see that they were unexpectedly rising rarely this morning. However, we still need to remain vigilant for a while.

　My basics of living alone in old age are, first and foremost, to exercise daily for the sake of my health and to make myself hungry. I also believe it is essential to keep a close eye on the trends in the global economy, and to have a variety of experiences and enrich my creation.

余りにも寒くて、ドリームセンターで温まる

　午後になって、暫くぶりに「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」へ愛車で行ってきました。往復４０Ｋほどです。一人暮らしのため、冬季はなるべく家の風呂には入らないようにしてます。理由は倒れたら困りますし、数日後に発見されても恥ずかしい思いをします。

　ドリームセンターなら脱衣場も温かく、窓から牛伏山を眺めつつ、広い湯船を心行くまで満喫できます。それにしても、高崎市民で還暦を過ぎれば入浴料は２００円です。世間は何かと物価高で騒いでますが、得した感じです。このまま料金の据え置きを市会議員の方にお願いしましょう。

　ところで、愛車ＴＴは昨日の心配をよそに、冬晴れの新鏑川橋を、ご覧のようにスイスイ走ります。川面を見たらロシアからのコハクチョウが１０羽程羽を休めてました。近いうちに川岸へ行ってみます。今日は西高東低の気圧配置のため、この橋の上からいつも見える活火山・浅間山と群馬の名峰・谷川岳は望めず、寂しかったです。そのうち笑顔を見せてくれるでしょう。

Dear my friends who are crazy about bathing in the spa.

　In the afternoon, I drove ＴＴ Quattro to the "Yoshii Ushibse Dream Center" after a long time. It was about a 40km round trip from my residence. Since I live alone, I avoid bathing at home particularly in winter. The reason is that I don't want to collapse, and it would be embarrassing if I were discovered several days later.

　At the Dream Center, the changing room is heated, and I can enjoy the spacious bathtub to my heart's content while looking at Mt. Ushibse from the window. By the way, if you're a Takasaki resident over 60 years old, the bathing fee is only 200 yen. In General, people are always complaining about rising prices, but we feel a profit here. I'll ask the city council member to keep the fee the same.

　By the way, despite my worries from yesterday, my beloved TT glides smoothly over the Shin-Kabra-Bridge on a clear winter day, as you can see in the photo. When I Looked down at the river, I saw about 10 Tundra swans from Russia resting. I'll go to the riverbank in the near future. Today, due to the high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east, we were unable to see the active volcano Mt. Asama and Gumma's famous peak Mt. Tanigawa, which are usually visible from this bridge, so that it was a lonely today. I'm sure she'll smile again soon.