A story about rediscovering happiness where the signal doesn't reach

This project that Saka-sensei started in March.
I have humbly joined in as well.

I raised my hand and said "Yes!" but,
I'm worried if I'll be able to pass the baton properly (lol).

No, no, it's a rare opportunity,
so I will gratefully do my best!

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The person who passed the baton to me is "Suzu♪"-san.

Suzu♪-san has loved trains since she was a child.
She writes about her experience riding the "Ginga" sleeper train
after she became an adult.

Sleeper trains take time, but
they are a precious memory of her student days, though
she once ended up in a shaky seat near the electric locomotive
and arrived in Osaka having barely slept at all.

Thinking back to the days before the term "time performance" even existed,
one cannot help but be grateful for the modern age overflowing with convenient things,
and she states that by experiencing inconvenience at times,
there might be new discoveries to be made.

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How should I pass the baton...
"By experiencing inconvenience at times, there might be new discoveries to be made."

Inconvenience is the opposite of convenience, isn't it?

What are the things I feel are convenient now?
For me, the number one thing is electronic devices.

Smartphones are something even elementary school students have these days.

It's true that if I go out forgetting my smartphone,
I feel like I'm not grounded.

Even if I have my smartphone,
I get anxious if I'm in a place where the signal doesn't reach.

I end up wandering around on the ground searching for that invisible signal.

Ah!!

There was one time when, even though the signal was hard to get,
I felt happy!!!

Back when my eldest son was completely refusing to go to school (that's how I put it💦),
he had closed himself off quite a bit.

He had cut off interactions with people, including friends,
and it was a time when he didn't talk much with his family either.

The father-son relationship is quite difficult,
and they were in a state where they would argue whenever they saw each other.

Still, when there was a long holiday,
as a parent, you want to create some memories...
is what you end up thinking.

But, contact with many people was difficult.
Since his life force was completely depleted,
things like going to the beach or theme parks
were absolutely impossible.

You don't have to interact with many people, and you can rest as soon as you get tired.
And a way to have an extraordinary, memorable experience is...

Before our children were born, my husband and I
went camping all the time.

We went occasionally even after the kids were born,
and I remembered how pleasant it was to spend time in nature.

However, with regular camping,
you have to set up the tent, set up the tarp, start a fire...

Yeah, that's impossible.

Just as I was about to give up, my husband
found something great!

Renting a camper van

Isn't that perfect!!

We can enjoy nature
while avoiding crowded places.

We can rest immediately if we feel exhausted.

At the time, my eldest son had severe symptoms of orthostatic dysregulation.

We didn't have to worry about checkout or breakfast times,
he could sleep in until the very last minute in the morning,
and we could even travel while he was still sleeping!

And at night, if we got tired, there was a bed right there!

And above all,
the moment you step into a camper van, it's already

an extraordinary space!!

The way the kids got excited when we rented a camper van for the first time
and went inside was something else!

My eldest son, who hadn't been smiling much lately,
had a huge smile on his face✨
My second son was also beaming with joy along with his big brother!

The place we headed to in the camper van
was full of nature.

The TV didn't work well,
and the signal was very weak, so
I was a little worried about whether my game-obsessed kids would be okay,
but that worry wascompletely unnecessary.

At night, we stopped by a local spa facility.

Then, we bought some delicious local food
and ate it inside the camper van
while playing cards and chatting the whole time.

Almost no one touched their smartphones or games.

Once we had laughed enough and started to feel sleepy,
we all went to the restroom, brushed our teeth, and
made the beds.

The bunk beds were naturally taken over by the kids (lol).

And with a "Good night,"
we all went to sleep together.

The preciousness of time spent laughing together as a family.

Even the father and son, whose relationship had been a bit strained,
were talking in a way that seemed truly happy and joyful
by spending this extraordinary time together.

My second son, who is usually always walking on eggshells,
was laughing the whole time.

That alone filled my heart to the brim.

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There is no signal.
The TV barely works.
You can't really play games either.

In our daily lives, there is nothing as inconvenient as this, right?

If it were like this for a month, it would probably be quite tough (lol).

The kids and parents alike would probably have
run away by now (lol).

But these few days of extraordinary life spent in a camper
more than made up for that inconvenience,

reminding us of the importance of familyand becoming a happy time that enriched our hearts.

At the same time, it was a time that made me realize once again
how much I usually forget to be grateful for "convenience."

Staying in a gorgeous hotel is nice, and savoring delicious food is certainly great too!
(Of course, I want to do those things too!!)

But you know, just buying some simple meals and snacks
from the places you visit
and gathering together as a family in the camper
makes for the best trip.♬

Even if there is no signal or you can't play games,
it becomes an opportunity to notice many
"happinesses," such as the gratitude for your family and the convenience of daily life.

For those of you having a hard time with children in their rebellious phase!
And of course, for those who want to relax as a couple!

While escaping the hustle and bustle of the city,
both adults and children can spend time in an extraordinary way with peace of mind
on a camper trip.

Everyone, please give it a try!
(I am definitely not a shill for them 😊)

The next person I am passing the baton to is
Runner No. 36 Kane Suzaku 🏃

Kane Suzaku-san,
I look forward to your post!!

Also, Saka.-sensei,
thank you for this wonderful project!

#PassingTheSpringNoteBaton
#PreciousMemoriesIDontWantToDelete
#Mio-san Thank you for the profile picture!

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I also have paid articles that include personal experiences and go into a bit more detail (partially posted)👇

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Click here for my other SNS 👉　X(Twitter), Instagram, Threads

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In my real-life activities "#Kozue no Tsubomi ", I am currently holding discussion groups for topics like "school non-attendance" and "developmental differences"🍀
There are also various seminars available to accompany your "me time"!