私は3人の子供の母親で、子供たちは学校や部活で忙しい日々を送っている。母の日に子供たちからのプレゼントを喜ぶが、昔の子供たちとの思い出に触れると、現在の母の日は特別な日ではなくなってしまったと感じる。子供たちからの感謝の言葉や思い出を大切にしているが、子供たちの成長を喜びつつも、時折孤独を感じることもある。母の日はかつてのような祝福の日ではなくなってしまったが、子供たちとの思い出を心に留めている。
I am a mother of three children. My eldest daughter, Mami, is a high school freshman. She enjoys school life, staying busy with club activities, studying, and events every day. My eldest son, Yuta, is a high school senior. He is focusing on club activities and cram school as he prepares for the high school entrance exams in winter. My second daughter, Ayaka, is in sixth grade. She is enjoying the last days of elementary school and practicing with the mini basketball team every day. Sometimes, when I see my hardworking children, I can’t help but feel their growth and see the sparkle in their eyes.
Today is Mother’s Day. The once celebratory Mother’s Day has turned into just an ordinary day with nothing special to do. As I reflect on the memories my children gave me when they were young, I couldn’t help but think, “Mother’s Day was better back then.”
On Mother’s Day morning, the children woke up very early. The brothers prepared a present for me.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!” In the past, the children used to prepare gifts like a handmade bead necklace, portraits, and letters as presents.
While Mother’s Day used to be a happy day, now the children are too busy with their own things, so Mother’s Day is no longer a celebration. Another busy morning passed by quickly today.
I don’t expect anything special. Just saying “thank you always” is enough. Even the words we often said in our younger days, “Mom, thank you,” have been forgotten over time.
From the days when they used to look for me even when I wasn’t around, the children have grown up. I know this better than anyone. Still, on Mother’s Day, I want my children to say “thank you always.” Mother’s Day used to be a day of great blessings, but now it is just another Sunday for the children. As selfish creatures, mothers should be happy about their children’s growth, but sometimes they feel lonely. As I reminisce about the many memories with my children, I find myself thinking, “It was better in the past.”
Continued in [Part 2].
Original source: Mama Star Community Script: Tae Watanabe Illustration: Yuzupon Editing: Ishii Yasu