I was 'so' obsessed with it... but now it's time to let go and move on to the next stage

【So, So Much】

“It made me realize that as adults, we have the power to either nurture the small flame lit in a young child's heart or easily extinguish it.
It was something I built up with care alongside my son, but I believe it is a wonderful thing to have created something that can be entrusted to the next person.
That is why it is time to let go and move on to the next stage.”

*********
A picture book by Shinsuke Yoshitake.
It instantly brought back memories of those ordinary, precious moments from when my children were little, making me think, 'Oh, that really happened, didn't it?'

As I read through it with a chuckle, I realized my eyes were filled with tears.
If we don't cherish the everyday, seemingly mundane moments with our family, they will surely pass by in a flash.


Back then, I felt as though those days would last forever, but looking back, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

When they are small, they are cute, but it is hard work.

However, that hardship is the kind that you forget once you've moved past it.
Every day, I am completely at the mercy of my children, but each of their words and actions is so funny, so cute, and they are growing up so fast every single day...
“You were 'so' small... but now you're this big”
“You were 'so' much of a crybaby... but now you're like this”
“You loved it 'so' much... but now you're like this”


Suddenly, I realize, 'Oh, they don't play with this anymore,' or 'They were so obsessed with that,' and they grow up in the blink of an eye, with their interests and favorite things constantly changing.
Yes, that is also proof of growth.

So, having their 'likes' change or increase is actually a very happy thing.
*********
When he was little, my son would look at books about the world and tell me stories about different countries.


Eventually, he became interested in local cuisine and developed a strong concern for environmental issues.
Even as a young child, he would say, 'We have to protect the Earth!' and he once drew a picture of the natural cycle with all his might and took it to school.

A few years later, no one ever imagined he would end up starting an environmental protection group and taking action.
And although he has been working hard at it... there were times when things didn't go well.
There were times when he felt sad.
Of course, there were also many, many things he was able to accomplish!


And now, three months into middle school, he is graduating from those activities for the time being.


He is currently obsessed with dance and singing, and he is spending his days busy, happy, and fulfilled.
He seems happy, surrounded by good friends.

He is working hard for the summer musical.
Even though he worked so hard as an elementary school student to protect the environment, I felt that it was quite difficult to keep pushing that forward.



It made me realize that as adults, we have the power to either nurture the small flame lit in a young child's heart or easily extinguish it.
It was something I built up with care alongside my son, but I believe it is a wonderful thing to have created something that can be entrusted to the next person.


That is why it is time to let go and move on to the next stage.
Environmental issues are very important, and they are something he will continue to work on now and in the future, but since he used a bit too much energy, I think I will let him take a break for a while.
And I would be happy if he could use plenty of his energy on the dance and singing (and sometimes cooking) that he is currently obsessed with.
*********


When I read this picture book, 'So, So Much,' I was struck by the realization that 'Oh, growing up means that the things you 'like' or are 'obsessed' with will change,' and I felt healed myself.
Perhaps it is a feeling of relief.
I think this picture book evokes different feelings depending on when you read it and who is reading it.
It is one of the picture books I always want to keep on hand.


Even when you feel a little tired of parenting, opening it up reminds you of what is truly important.