2025/08/11 Flowing Water and Family Laughter: Treasures Given by Every Summer

2025/08/11

The morning air was chilly, and I talked with my mother, saying, "Could it be autumn all of a sudden?"

At 8:45 AM, we met up with my younger brother's family.
We headed to the outdoor summer-only pool I've been visiting since childhood. On the way to the pool, the children's voices bounced with excitement at the blue sky visible from the car window.

The scenery hasn't changed in over 30 years.
A 180-meter lazy river, colorful water slides, and a toddler pool that never gets old.
It was just as I remembered. It's a classic spot for families, both then and now.

The moment we dipped our feet into the cold water, the children's eyes went wide at the breath-taking chill.

But soon, laughter mixed in, splashing into the sound of the water.
The morning wasn't crowded, so we swam, floated, and drifted freely. The sky I looked up at from the water's surface was clear as far as the eye could see.

Children's voices echoing in the cold water

The children were absorbed in enjoying the pool.
The water, which they initially called "cold!", reached a pleasant temperature once the sun came out before noon.

Thanks to the early hour, it wasn't crowded, and we were able to play freely. As my daughters' cheers echoed, I remembered my own childhood.

I'm sure I also played in this same pool with my brother and friends, laughing just as innocently.

And perhaps my mother, watching me, felt the same way I do now.

While letting ourselves drift in the lazy river.

Things that change and things that don't. I felt that both of them were making this very moment special.

Somen noodles flowing through bamboo and time

We returned home after noon and started our annual tradition of nagashi somen (flowing noodles). The somen flowed vigorously from a handmade device using bamboo.

Water flowed with a gentle rustling sound down the long lane made by splitting bamboo.

Every time the somen flowed through, the children held their chopsticks with serious faces.

Their smiles the moment they caught some and their small victory posesmade even me, watching them, feel happy.

A cherry tomato hit a remaining node and bounced.
The movement was funny, and the children giggled.

"Oh, I got it!" "It's a tomato! Here it comes!"

I think that by experiencing these little bits of ingenuity and playfulness together, it becomes deeply engraved in the children's memories.

Wanting to entertain their grandchildren, wanting them to be happy.
I am grateful for my parents' feelings.

A small tradition passed down

On the way home, my daughters and nieces all said,"Let's do nagashi somen again next year! And the pool is a promise!"Hearing those words, I think I understood.

What's important isn't the place or the event itself, but the love and time poured into it.

The summer memories my parents prepared for us are now our turn to pass on to our daughters.

Small traditions don't have to be anything special.

Whether it's nagashi somen or the usual pool, if there is family time there, it becomes a treasure that remains in the children's hearts.



Do you have any small annual family traditions?I wonder how much of these "seasonal staples" the children will remember. Perhaps they won't remember the details.

Even so, I think the form of love that is passed down is surprisingly close to home.

\ If you'd like, please take a look at these too /
▶︎ 6 memorable episodes from the life of a mom who wakes up at 4 AM.
　

▶︎ More than the light of the fireworks, what remained in my heart was that smile.

▶︎ On Monday morning, are you feeling a bit fuzzy?
　It's okay if you're having trouble switching gears.

Please start with whatever catches your interest♪

Thank you so much for reading until the end!
Even if they aren't big events,

if you continue even one small annual tradition,
memories will naturally accumulate.
Let's cherish one more moment this year that becomes dearer through repetition.

Let's find small happiness again tomorrow.

See you later!