The world seen through free values
Mariko Tagami
These days, our hearts are filled with joy at the autumn harvest.
Last week, my house was filled with the gentle, euphoric scent of the osmanthus flowers that had just started to bloom.
The memories of being soothed by this osmanthus come back to me.
This is my fourth autumn in this place.
Yesterday, my son's nursery school held a sports day.
My son, who started attending the kindergarten in the two-year-old class, is now in the senior group and this is his last sports day.
When my child first started kindergarten, I still had the value of the "three-year-old myth" in my mind.
How should I spend my time without my son?
Was it really a good idea to leave it with him?
If I had more capacity, could I have raised my child at home?
I felt like I was blaming myself.
Now I can tell myself, "Hey!" and say that there's nothing better than leaving it with them.
I think it's good to have diverse values about child-rearing.
I am able to think this way thanks to finding my current nursery school.
The events in which the children competed this year were the foot race, where they showed a more competitive spirit than last year,
I have been practicing vaulting boxes and parallel bars in an effort to overcome the daily conflicts and fears.
The main events were group gymnastics and Japanese drum performances.
As I watch each of these experiences and feel my son growing up, I can't help but get teary-eyed.
As the camera rolled during the group gymnastics, the homeroom teacher was watching over the children, her eyes red with tears...
The sight of the teachers and the sports day taking full advantage of this small schoolyard are also wonderful.
It was a world my son and I could never have imagined when we were two years old.
I thought that yesterday's clear, cloudless weather seemed to represent the name my husband gave to our son.
I realized that being attached to one value or having preconceived notions was restricting me.
It was a Sunday that made me realize once again how much I want to continue looking at the world in new ways with a diverse set of values.
This week is also the season for sports, food, and reading.
I hope this week will be one in which you each enjoy autumn♡
