小さな語りシリーズ2024/07/09　 Small Story Serie

2024/07/09「家族」"Family"

男の子はワクワクした様子で、いつもより早く目を覚ました。今日は家族３人で海へ出かける予定だった。天気もよく、さんさんと太陽が輝ききらめいていた。

「準備はいいか？」と出発の荷造りをしていた父親が声をかけた。母親はキッチンでお弁当を用意しながら、「楽しみだね」と優しく笑った。「うん！　楽しみ！」と男の子はうなずいて、小さなリュックに水筒とお気に入りの本を詰めて、玄関へと向かった。もう待ちきれないといった様子だ。

車に乗り込むと、海風が心地よく感じられる道を走った。窓を開け放ち、男の子は風を感じながら、大きな声で歌を歌い始めた。父親も母親も、その歌声に合わせて笑顔になった。

海岸に到着すると、男の子は砂浜に向かって一目散に駆け出した。波打ち際で貝殻を拾ったり、砂の城を作ったり、彼の無邪気な楽しみは果てしなかった。両親はそんな彼の姿を見守りながら、ビーチパラソルの下で穏やかな時間を過ごしていた。

昼食の時間になると、家族は集まり、母親が作ったサンドイッチを分け合った。男の子は「おいしい！」と感激しながら、一口一口を大事に味わった。「２人のために頑張って作ったから、喜んでくれて嬉しいわ」と母親がそ息子の顔を見て微笑んだ。

午後になると、潮風が涼しくなり、家族は海から少し離れた丘に登った。そこから見える景色は、まるで絵画のように美しかった。男の子は両親の手をしっかりと握りながら、「ここに来れて良かった」と交互に二人の顔を見て笑った。

夕暮れ時、家族は車に戻りながら、海での楽しい一日を思い返していた。男の子は疲れて眠りにつき、父親はハンドルを握りながら、「こうして家族で過ごすことって、やっぱり良いもんだな」とつぶやいた。母親は静かに頷き、眠る息子の顔を優しく見つめていた。

帰り道、車の中は静かで、その日海辺で過ごした楽しい想いでの余韻で満たされていた。このすばらしい余韻がいつまでも続くようにと、３人とも心の中で願った。

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The boy woke up earlier than usual, filled with excitement. Today, the three of them were going to the sea. The weather was perfect, and the sun was shining brightly.

"Are you ready?" his father called out as he packed for the trip. In the kitchen, his mother was preparing lunch, smiling gently as she said, "Looking forward to it?" "Yes, I can't wait!" the boy nodded eagerly. He packed his favorite book and a water bottle into his small backpack and headed towards the entrance, looking like he could hardly wait.

Once they got into the car, they drove along a road where the sea breeze felt refreshing. The boy opened the window wide and started singing loudly, feeling the wind. His parents smiled in response to his cheerful singing.

When they arrived at the beach, the boy sprinted straight to the sandy shore. He picked up seashells and built sandcastles, his innocent joy knowing no bounds. His parents watched over him from under a beach umbrella, enjoying a peaceful time.

When lunchtime came, the family gathered and shared the sandwiches his mother had made. The boy exclaimed, "Delicious!" and savored each bite with delight. "I'm so glad you like it. I worked hard to make it for you two," his mother said, smiling at her son's face.

In the afternoon, as the sea breeze cooled, the family climbed a hill a little away from the sea. The view from there was as beautiful as a painting. Holding his parents' hands tightly, the boy said, "I'm glad we came here," looking at them both and smiling.

At dusk, the family headed back to the car, reminiscing about their fun day at the sea. The boy fell asleep from exhaustion, and his father, holding the steering wheel, murmured, "It's really nice to spend time together as a family." His mother quietly nodded, gazing tenderly at their sleeping son.

On the way home, the car was quiet, filled with the lingering memories of the enjoyable day they spent at the seaside. All three silently wished that the wonderful feeling would last forever.