3-18 Third-Year Girl
Suddenly, on that day, we lost everything. I experienced many hardships. In particular, living with my grandfather and grandmother in their house in Hanamaki for a month was very difficult for me. Although I was really happy to be able to take baths and have meals as usual, being apart from everyone in the evacuation shelter with no one to talk to and not having a single friend at home to laugh with about what’s on television or other stupid things, made me feel like I really wanted to see everyone. I felt that so strongly. My smile disappeared and I couldn’t feel happy in my heart, which was hard on my parents and grandparents. But when I heard that school would start again, I was really delighted. And when I met everyone again at Osabe Elementary School after such a long time, I couldn’t help feeling so happy. We talked so much, and laughed so much, and it was the first time I’d ever felt this happy.
The school year ended and we became third-year students. Although we couldn’t hold school events and have classes like we did the year before, I was glad that we worked together and were able to do things successfully. I think it was because of the support from so many people that we were able to go to school and to eat our bento [1] lunches again. So I never ever want to forget my appreciation for those people as long as I live.
This year, there were many difficulties, many delights, and many hardships. But I’d like to lead my life from here on without forgetting any of those feelings. The joy of having a meal normally. The joy of laughing with friends. The joy of having a family. I will continue to move ahead into the future smiling brightly and being grateful for so much joy.
1. A single-portion takeout or home-packed meal, traditionally holding rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container
3-18 中３女子
突然、何もかも失ったあの日。私は、たくさんの辛い思いをしました。特に私は一ヶ月間花巻にあるおじいちゃんとおばあちゃんの家で生活していた時が辛かったです。お風呂や食事が普通に出来ることは、本当にうれしかったけど、みんながいる避難所からはなれて話し相手もいなく、テレビの話やくだらない話をして笑える友達は家に一人もいなかったので、みんなに会いたい。という思いがすごくすごくありました。笑顔が消えて、心から嬉しいと思うことがなくなってしまい、親やおじいちゃん、おばあちゃんには辛くあたってしまいました。でも、学校がまた始まるということを聞いた時はものすごく嬉しかったです。長部小学校で久しぶりにみんなに会えた時は嬉しくて仕方がありませんでした。たくさん話をしたり、たくさん笑ったり、こんなに幸せに感じたのは初めてでした。
学年が変わり、私達は三年生になりました。去年のように行事を行ったり、授業を行うことはできなかったけど、みんなで協力し成功させることができたのでよかったです。また学校にかよったり、お弁当を食べることができたりしたのは、たくさんの方々からの支援のおかげだと思います。なので、その人たちへの感謝の気持ちは絶対に忘れないで生活したいと思います。
この一年、辛かったこと、嬉しかったこと 苦しかったことがたくさんありました。でもこのすべての気持ちを忘れずに、これからの生活をすごしていきたいと思います。普通に食事ができる幸せ。友達と笑い合える幸せ。家族がいる幸せ。たくさんの幸せに感謝し、笑顔で明るくこれからも前に進んでいきたいです。