The Process, Not the Goal

Dear Family and Friends,

“if it rains, the trip will be called off.”

Yesterday’s hike schedule ended with those words. But even so, despite a soft rain — and a persistent one — we went anyway.

There were seven of us. The hike was not challenging at all. But it did require good leg muscles. And good balance to descend high stone steps covered in leaves. We were careful and made it safely.

Actually, we climbed a small mountain in Fukushima City. Shinobu Park is large (for Japan) and on the outskirts of town. It has a grassy area where kids can play. There is also a small stone bridge donated by the Koseki Family several generations ago. That wealthy clan made its fortune as middlemen selling Japanese Washi paper to merchants in Tokyo. 

The most famous member of the Koseki family, however, is Yuji. He was a prolific songwriter. 

One of his most well-known pieces is the Entrance March for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. The catchy music reflected Japan’s spirit of hope and promise after its humiliating defeat in WW II.

The route was partly a road through a forest. Closer to the top it became a narrow muddy path. The whole climb was rather steep, but not overly so. None of the leaves had started to change. That will come next month. That is, if there is any normalcy to seasons this climatically strange year.

En route, there were several Shinto shrines and Buddhist statues. One was for children, the other in a tree trunk.

We stopped at each sacred place, looked around, prayed, and moved on. At the very top, though, we sat on the front steps of the shrine and had lunch. A few people came to pray. No one minded us there. In true Japanese style, everyone was be very tolerant and even wished us well. We offered them food in return.

Then came the necessary group photo before we wound our way down the mountain and to the train station.

Only one of us drives now. So, we rely on public transportation. That means no hot bath after our hike. We all miss that. But we accept the situation and look forward to a warm bath at home.

I asked Noriko why she had chosen such an easy hike that was so far away. 

“Because I like the train ride,” she said. 

I smiled, humbled to be reminded that it is the process, not the goal, that matters most.

Love,

Anne