Saturday Outing To See The Dolphins With The Youngest Members Of The Family
To pause... With age, these words take on deeper meaning than ever. It sounds simple, yet it is so hard to do when you get caught up in a whirlwind of tasks. We are all so accustomed to running, doing, rushing, and trying to keep up - even when we know that nothing will fall apart if we don’t manage to get everything done, we still push ourselves to the limit. We run too fast, buy too much, and cook more food than anyone could eat. And what does it all lead to? Just another finish line, followed by yet another day that’s exactly like all the rest. It is so hard to press that "pause" button - but sometimes, it’s necessary. Especially when Saturday rolls around.
I am glad that, for a long time now, our family has had a rule: the weekend is for rest, outings, and spending time with friends and children - not for work. So, this Saturday, we decided to head to the dolphinarium with the youngest members of the family. This trip isn’t for us; it’s for them - though, of course, spending time with them is a joy for us, too.
While waiting for the dolphin show to begin, I find myself observing the people around me. They are like an anthill - constantly moving and bustling about. Yet, our life on Earth is but a fleeting flash of lightning in the vastness of the universe. Humanity has become caught up in such madness. It is terrifying even to think that we might destroy ourselves - and then all the riches accumulated by us and by nature will become completely worthless. Sometimes I wonder if extraterrestrials are experimenting on us: to see whether we possess the clarity of mind to live and find joy during our brief journey through life, rather than destroying ourselves and others. To cherish moments like these with family, to bring joy to children, and to protect and care for them. I so wish for their childhood to be calm and peaceful - for people to smile with genuine happiness as they experience these joyful moments.
And so, the show begins. Although this isn’t our first time attending a dolphin show, we leave with a smile on our faces every single time.
Seeing how intently the children are watching the show, I can’t help but feel happy myself. Back in my own childhood, I used to think a long, hard life lay ahead of me, because my father always came home from work talking about how exhausted he was. But as I grew up, I realised that life is just a fleeting moment, made up of countless joyful and painful instances. And once we are gone, all that will remain are the memories held in the hearts of those who loved us. I hope that there will still be many "tomorrows" ahead - tomorrows that make it worth pausing right now to savour the simple, everyday pleasures and fleeting joys of life, as it is what it truly means to be alive. That is why I love creating memories with the people I love, and who love me in return. Today, and this dolphin show, will become yet another memory we share.
Time is truly wonderful - yet it is fleeting, slipping through one’s fingers like sand. How can we ensure we don’t let it pass us by? How can we manage to truly enjoy every moment before it’s gone? I believe the answer lies in creating as many memorable moments as possible - moments that won’t be forgotten so easily - and capturing them, not just in our memories, but in photographs and videos.
When the show ended and we stepped outside, the sky had already begun to darken. Then came the question: will it always be this dark from now on? In an instant, it struck me with absolute clarity that a time is approaching - advancing with giant strides - when both mornings and evenings will be swallowed by darkness. A time when we will more often have to create our own light and sunshine - both around us and within ourselves. But, hopefully, not tomorrow, and not the day after. There is still time to hatch a plan for how to live through the dark season while actually enjoying it, rather than rushing to skip half a year ahead to spring.
On the way back along the embankment toward the ferry, the children gathered yellowed autumn leaves, delighting in their colors. Have you noticed how, as they dry, they lose all their color, shrivel into brown cocoons, and crunch so loudly underfoot? It’s like the music of autumn. Autumn reminds me of a woman who knows how to age with dignity. That is why I never rush it; I simply walk alongside and admire it.
With Love, 2026.
Photo credit: @Janadeluna