2025/05/24 The Quiet Pride of Sports Day: Giving a Gold Star for 'Doing Your Best'

2025/05/24

The morning sky was covered in thick clouds.

Oh, please, I hope it doesn't rain until the end.

A little past 6:30 AM.
With that prayer in my heart, I did a final check of my camera and video recorder. The charging complete light was glowing quietly.

Outside, it was a damp, cloudy sky, and I could feel the same chill as yesterday through the window. Both my equipment and my spirit had been prepared for 'Sports Day' since last night.

Finally, today is the day of the sports festival!

'Time to wake her up.'

As I was thinking this while looking at the clock, an email from the school arrived shortly after. The sports festival would be held as scheduled. I felt relieved for the moment.

'They sent a notice to bring a light jacket, so make sure you have one!'

I urged my eldest daughter to put on a jacket, checked her water bottle and headband, and we were off.

What last night's 'strategy meeting' gave us

'Please handle the video near the finish line.'
'Next, we'll cover the curve from both sides, right?'
'For the Soran Bushi dance, start with a wide shot, then switch to a close-up.'

Last night, we held a small family strategy meeting for filming.
Based on what our eldest daughter told us, my husband and I discussed what we wanted to film and what scenes we wanted to capture.

It wasn't just 'filming,' but a time for 'preparing to properly record.'

Perhaps thanks to that preparation, I felt like I was able to savor every moment of the children's day more carefully than usual, peering through the camera lens.

It's not just about the results, but the 'earnest' effort

In the footrace, she came in last by a narrow margin.
My eldest daughter had come in first in her first and second years. A bitter sense of frustration was evident in her expression right after crossing the finish line.

She didn't pick up speed at the start, but there was no hesitation in her running; it was powerful and straight.

The ranking that remains as a record and the image etched into one's heart are different things. The result might not have reached her goal.

But that earnest figure of hers wouldn't change, no matter what place she came in.

Because I knew the preparation she put into it, and her own fighting spirit,
I could honestly think, 'It's not about the ranking.'

In the group ball-carrying event, they carried it while calling out to each other. Even while waiting, loud cheers were flying back and forth.

Balance, the strength to support, the strength to synchronize their feelings.
Even when things didn't go well, the way they naturally smiled was impressive.

In the lower-grade relay, she showed a truly refreshing run and passed the baton firmly.

From the moment she received the baton, her speed was clearly different. Voices saying 'She's fast!' rose from the surrounding parents. Pushed by those voices, she accelerated even more.

Watching from the cheering section, I found myself leaning forward. Although she felt frustrated in the individual footrace, my heart warmed to see her demonstrating her strength as a member of the team. I just wanted to applaud her.

Another role

Her performance in the Soran Bushi dance was truly cool!
It was a perfect, powerful performance that fully demonstrated the results of her practice.

But what I was most proud of was actually something else.

Again this year, my eldest daughter was entrusted with the role of supporting a friend in the special needs class. She has taken on that role every year without fail.

Guiding them into line while holding hands, casually reaching out a hand while standing together. Perhaps it has become second nature to her.

But I take the meaning of being entrusted with such a role very seriously and proudly.

However, the back of her, seeing that role not as a burden but as a 'chance to become friends', is strong and kind.

Supporting someone. The fact that my eldest daughter has been entrusted with a part of that responsibility for years without change.

I believe it is precisely because her kindness and sense of responsibility are recognized by both her friends and teachers.

On the big stage of the sports festival, while everyone is nervous, she can naturally care for someone else.

It might be something she does as usual, but as a parent, I strongly felt her invisible virtues in that.

More than the results, 'what she showed me'

'The result didn't reach my goal, but I did my best.'

I said that while driving the car, but honestly, the results didn't matter. Being able to participate energetically, happily, and earnestly. That alone was enough for a gold star.

The expression on my eldest daughter's face as she chose ice cream at Baskin Robbins was completely different from her nervous face in the morning or her sharp face during the sports festival; it had returned to her usual calm self.

'Did you have fun today?'

To my casual question, my eldest daughter nodded vigorously.

That serious face during the footrace.
Her dignified figure during the Soran Bushi.
Her kindness in quietly staying by someone's side.

Just being able to witness those moments was enough.
I think that is the greatest achievement.

Individuality, which is more important than results

Throughout the day of the sports festival, there is something I think about again.

Results are certainly important. I know the meaning of striving toward a goal and the wonder of a sense of accomplishment.

But I thought that what is even more important might be the moment when 'individuality' is demonstrated.

It wasn't the disappointing result in the footrace, nor the speed shown in the relay, butthe natural kindness of supporting a friend.

I want to properly remember the 'gentle smile' and the 'face showing true effort' I saw today.

Watching my daughter like that makes me think about myself, too. In my daily life, am I valuing my own 'individuality'?

Am I losing sight of what is truly important by chasing only results and efficiency?

That is surely what the special day of the sports festival taught me.

The earnest figures of the children unfolding under the cloudy sky. The warm gazes of the parents watching them. And,the 'individuality' of each person that shone brighter than the results.

When are the moments you think, 'I did my best today'?

That might be something that becomes visible not through results, but through casual 'ways of showing care'.

\ If you'd like, please take a look at this too /

▶︎ Preparing to savor the moments you love
　A small shift the day before the sports festival

▶︎ Staying close, without cheering too much
　But with a sense of distance that doesn't abandon them

▶︎ An ordinary working mom who enjoys the 'morning' by waking up at 4 AM

Thank you so much for reading until the end!

Even on days when there are no results,
I hope to have a perspective that says 'I saw you' as if gently staying by your side.

Even if things didn't go well today,
someone is properly watching that you 'did your best'.

I hope such days increase, even if just by one.
Well then, see you again!