My Daughter's and My New Life

Today was my daughter's high school entrance ceremony.

Seeing my daughter dressed in her new uniform, laughing happily with friends from junior high, filled my heart. It was a day that made me truly happy, realizing that all the days leading up to this were for the sake of this smile.

……However, an unexpected turn of events awaited us after the ceremony. It was time for the parents to elect the "board members."

At first, I had absolutely no intention of doing it.

But the current board member mothers explained it so wonderfully, saying, "It's much more relaxed than the committees in junior high," and "It's really fun, like brainstorming ideas for the school festival."

Still, when it came time for the actual selection, the classroom fell silent. Time ticked away. That was when my "bad habit" kicked in.

“...I'll do it.”

Before I knew it, I had raised my hand. In my heart, I could hear the curiosity saying "That sounds fun!" alternating with a calm voice saying "You really shouldn't," but my hand had moved on its own.

But right after I raised my hand, other mothers quickly raised theirs saying, "Then I will too," and the board members were decided in an instant. If I was able to break that stagnant atmosphere, I suppose that's a good thing.

The term is three years. It will be a long commitment, just as long as her high school life.

I have my job, my goal of running 150km a month, and now the school board added to that.

Honestly, it looks like it will be a pretty tough daily routine, but since I'm doing it, I want to enjoy it to the fullest.

On the night of the first day, having made that resolution, I was scheduled to run 10km, but there was an unbelievable gale outside.

The sound of something clattering and rolling by echoed, and it was a situation where it was dangerous even to go outside.

A serious professional runner might run through rain and wind, but I chose to "change my plans" here. Rather than pushing myself in this situation and getting injured, I believe that rescheduling for another day and reliably completing the menu is the secret to keeping a goal going for a long time.

Turning "this looks tough" into "this looks interesting," and responding flexibly to unforeseen circumstances.

Along with my daughter's new beginning, I also want to become a little stronger and run through these next three years with all my might.