As one of the protagonists
Ono Karori
The end of the year is a time to look back on the past year.
I reflect on myself and of course on my family.
My second daughter, who is 1 year and 3 months old, started walking briskly this month.
My eldest daughter, who is five years old, was nervous about her first extracurricular activity, but took the first step on her own.
The eldest son, aged ten, will be spending three days and two nights away from his family.
My second son, who is three years old, has started to speak more roughly, but his gentle behavior soothes everyone and he is still as loved as ever.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most kindergarten and school events have been canceled over the past two years.
A series of events recently occurred that made me think I had overlooked the overlapping changes they were experiencing as they grew larger.
Looking back at myself, it was a year in which I started a lot of things.
"Place of learning" "Yoga" "Surfing" "Autumn clothing project"
I've also been able to work on embroidery more than before.
I can do it at my own pace, and even though it's hard, I enjoy it because I get great joy from what I'm doing, and it's something I want to continue doing.
This is due not only to an increase in staff, but also to everyone now attending school or kindergarten.
Not everything is good and fulfilling.
Raising children, especially small children, requires you to control your own emotions while also being sensitive to theirs.
If you just look at the words, this may seem like an obvious thing to say, but it's actually difficult.
I have to suppress my emotions every day, and things don't always go the way I want them to.
There were times when it felt like small stones had just piled up and nothing was being accomplished, and it even became painful to be here.
For both body and mind, I want to spend time outside with my family, not just in the mirror.
I feel like this was a year in which I sought that.
By doing so, I was able to face myself and sort things out.
Even now, I get angry and cry emotionally, but my normal self is still there and I can see the emotions moving in my mind as I try to find a solution.
I've grown up...lol
That's right, after I got married, I realized that I was no longer the main character in my life.
I had been going through this for a long time without realizing it.
Even though I am the protagonist now, I still feel like I am living with someone else.
As a mother, a wife, and a member of the Utsushiki community, I was happy to be able to regain that feeling.
He was so preoccupied with his own affairs that he finally realized that his children were the protagonists, living in their own places and accumulating the present.
At a recent exhibition at ENS in Wakayama, the eldest son had decided of his own volition to stay at home and asked his grandparents to take him to and from his lessons.
He had loved performing in front of people since kindergarten, and he seemed to have regained that love, coming to life at the dance recital. I want my eldest son, who always moves around for someone, to enjoy what he wants to do.
My daughter was so moved by my eldest son's dance recital that she thought, "Now I want to be the one to inspire others," and "I can't keep doing this," and jumped into a world where no one knows her. I was surprised by her statement, but when she couldn't dance well and came out holding back her tears, I was so frustrated that I wanted to do something to help her.
When the main characters get together, it's lively. Even in the monotony of their days, there are many surprises, laughs, and sadness. Even getting ready for daycare every day is not a waste of time. Every time I see the stains on their smocks, I feel the passionate energy of their lives and realize that it is a precious time.
It's sad that we are growing apart, but I hope that we will each shine in our own places.
Well, next year I will of course continue what I started this year, but I also want to take it a step deeper.
The beginning of the year will see Yasuhide Ono 's final exhibition at Hiroshima Cite' starting on New Year's Day. He is currently working on an embroidered amulet bag necklace that resembles a fruit that protects a precious seed.
The first learning opportunity of next year will be with Miho Ota , who will sing hymns.
After spending time with the beautiful voice that comes from within, I want you to spend time for yourself until the very end.
For lunch, you will enjoy a vegetable course prepared by Kimie , a botanical chef.
(Miho will also be performing live that night!)
It is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the Chikuni exhibition on January 22 (adult section) and 23 (children's section) in 2022. Details will be announced at a later date, so please look forward to it.
So, in 2022, we wish you the best of luck with your family, your reflections, and your whole life.
Thank you very much for your support. Happy New Year.
Ono Karori
