I was the only parent who prepared just like last year.

Every year,
it has become a tradition for our family to go to the movie theater to watch a film.

However, last year,
it might have been
a little too early for my youngest child to be in a movie theater.

They started fussing halfway through,
and we couldn't watch the movie until the end.

"I guess it was too difficult after all."

Thinking that,

I listened to the faint sounds coming from outside the screening room while soothing them in my arms.

After they calmed down a little, we returned to the screening room,
spent time near the exit at the back while keeping an eye on them,
and went back outside whenever they looked like they were about to fuss again...

I still remember
repeating that process several times.

To avoid bothering those around us,
I chose the time when there would be the fewest people,
and booked seats in the back along the aisle.

So this year,
when we decided to go see 'Toy Story 5',
I felt a little anxious.

'We might end up having to leave in the middle again.'

'Maybe it's a waste of money for the movie...'

'Maybe my younger child and I shouldn't go,
and it would be better if my husband and older child went twice.'

I even thought about things like that.

Just like last year,
I chose a time when it wouldn't be crowded,
and booked seats in the back along the aisle.

When the movie started,

there were times when my younger child sat calmly eating popcorn,

and times when they went back and forth between my husband's lap and mine.

'They might start fussing soon.'

There were several moments when memories of last year crossed my mind.

Just once, when their favorite Woody appeared on screen, they shouted out,
“Woody!” in a loud voice.

Even so,
other than that one time, they didn't make a fuss or cry,

and without having to leave in the middle,
they were able to stay in the movie theater until the end.

Last year,
I kept carrying them in and out of the movie theater.

This year,
even though they kept moving back and forth between my husband's lap and mine,
they stayed in the movie theater until the end.

Of course,
they weren't sitting perfectly still by themselves.

Still, this was something that was difficult for my youngest child last year.

And,
it was me who was worried and preparing just like last year.
It was me.

My child,
without me noticing,
had grown up this much.

The annual movie theater visit
has become a place where I notice my child's growth.

Next year,
what kind of expression will they have while looking at the screen?

That is one more thing to look forward to.

#When I feel my child growing up