Today, July 7, is my son's birthday.
When I met him for the first time in Samboan, Cebu, he had just entered elementary school. He was just a little boy then, but now he has the face of a boy.
Children grow up so fast.
Ten years old is the fourth grade of elementary school in Japan. It is a delicate age, not quite a child, and a little too early to be called a boy.
Looking back on myself, I can only recall fragments of the time when I was 10 years old. I was living in Kumamoto City at the time, and I was playing around with my friends building a secret base in Suizenji Park, which was free to enter and leave at that time.
I only have a coherent memory of growing okra for free research during summer vacation and keeping a picture diary-style record of it every day. One year older, after I entered the fifth grade of elementary school, I remember quite a bit more.
My son is just at the doorstep of a young boy. I am sure that he will gradually become more interested in social issues and his world will expand. The time between becoming a boy, a young man, and an adult will not only be filled with fun, but also with troubles and setbacks. So, for the time being, I would like you to enjoy your remaining time as a child.
Happy 10th birthday.
