【My English Journal③】The importance of taking an action spontaneously

I want to remember one special thing we did on the weekend, which was taking spontaneous action as soon as we found information about interesting activities that seemed enjoyable for both kids and adults. This approach brought us unexpected joy and memorable experiences.

For example, my husband found a posting on theX, which mentioned that a summer festival organized by the Japan Self-Defense Force would be held on Saturday afternoon. The festival promised various activities and attractions that sounded appealing.

Since the location of the JDF was not far from our home, it seemed to take only about 20 minutes by bicycle. Despite the scorching weather, we decided to visit the venue after our son's afterschool clubs. We did not plan it in advance, but this spontaneous decision turned out to be a beautiful and memorable experience for us.

Before going to the festival, we anticipated that the venue would be extremely crowded. However, we did not let this deter us. It was our first time entering the territory of the Japan Self-Defense Force, and we were excited about the opportunity. Upon arrival, we saw numerous machines and equipment that are rarely open to the public. My son was thrilled to see the various military vehicles and gear up close. There were also several stalls where we could buy snacks and refreshments to enjoy during the main event, which was the fireworks festival.

We chose not to occupy the designated seating areas on the grass. Instead, we tried to find an idle spot among the crowds directly. This strategy worked well, and we eventually found a fantastic place to view the fireworks. At the beginning of the show, we were all awestruck by the colorful fireworks lighting up the dark sky accompanied by the booming sounds of the explosions. The breathtaking display captivated us, and we fully immersed ourselves in the fleeting moments of beauty. After a series of dazzling fireworks, the audience spontaneously burst into applause, which added to the sense of camaraderie and warmth among the crowd. This experience was profoundly different from our usual daily routine. Even our 11-month-old baby seemed to enjoy the precious time, imitating other audience members by clapping her hands after each spectacular burst of fireworks.

The next day, another spontaneous decision I made further demonstrated the importance of taking immediate action when something piques your interest. While scrolling through my social media feed, I found an introduction to a gallery featuring my son's favorite character, Anpanman. The gallery showcased the history of the author who created Anpanman, as well as other picture books written by the author.

I decided to take my son to the gallery to see what it had to offer. By the end of the visit, my son wasn't as captivated by the gallery itself, but the venue had a vast collection of Anpanman picture books. My son eagerly asked me to read almost all of the books available, and he thoroughly enjoyed the reading session. Additionally, he learned a bit about how his favorite character was created, which added an educational element to the fun outing.

In conclusion, these spontaneous actions over the weekend not only provided us with joyful and memorable experiences but also highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities as soon as they arise. Whether it was exploring a summer festival or visiting a character gallery, these unplanned adventures enriched our lives and brought us closer as a family.