This time's "Parents' Day" was proposed by Hana, but she didn't give me any context or reason beforehand. The restaurant we went to was the same one where my mom and I coincidentally met her a few months ago. After returning home, I changed into more suitable clothes and immediately set off. I had just sat down and settled at a table when Hana and her mother arrived.
"Auntie, hello, I'm Jan," I stood up and respectfully greeted them.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc6heTlHJ9
"So, you're Janny, right? You looked smart!" Hana's mom smiled and said, "There's no need to be too formal, take a seat!"
I had seen Hana's mom's appearance in photos, but I didn't expect that besides looking alike, their mannerisms and speech were also similar.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25s2XWHK8g
What surprised me even more was that they both liked the same types of food, almost identical.
In an instant, the entire table was filled with various fried and pan-fried dishes.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDFz9QqEaK
I was taken aback.
"Here, Janny, don't be shy!" Hana's mother picked up a fried dumpling and offered it to me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmICBGBh3ZD
"Ah, thank you, Auntie," I collected myself and quickly replied.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcA8f95J5p
"Thank you for taking care of my precious daughter at work," Hana's mother said.
Their smiles were also identical.
"It's my pleasure," I said, "In fact she is intelligent and works hard."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoCTugcWFK
"Thanks for your compliments! But what I worry the most is that she can be too aggressive sometimes," Xing Lan's mother spoke with concern, "She often charges forward without considering. So, whether it's in work or running, you really need to take good care of her."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSChBhtOMrF
"Mom! I know how to take care of myself!" Hana protested, "Besides, I am his running coach, I am the one taking care of him!"
Hana's mom smiled and remained silent, gently holding Hana's hand.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUS0edycq5
Their feelings and understanding of each other were conveyed without words.
After chatting for a while, I felt that Hana's mother was still a very energetic person. I initially wanted to ask her why she didn't participate in the marathon with Hana, but after some thought, I kept the question to myself.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAftBJgls8
Hana's mother seemed to see through my thoughts though.
"Janny, as a matter of fact I'm getting old," Xing Lan's mom said, "I haven't been running for many years, and starting again at this age is not easy. I know you agreed to participate in the marathon with Hana, so you must be careful and train well! A distance of 42 kilometers is no joke."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNRlULQLL4
"I understand," I said, "Hana designed a training program for both of us, and for now, it's not too demanding. I can handle it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb02On3wPnM
"She's always such a serious person," she looked at Hana, "I know she wants to fulfill this dream for me. But seeing her work so hard and earnestly, I feel proud and gratified."
Hana leaned her head on her mother's shoulder like a little baby bird.
"Auntie, you can definitely count one me." I said firmly.
After meeting Hana's mom, I couldn't help but admire Hanaeven more. Many people blindly follow their parents' expectations and live the lives their parents want them to live, striving to achieve goals that their parents couldn't achieve.
As a result, it becomes a burden for both parties.
The burden of parents' expectations.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsGmj0ENGD
The burden of carrying the expectations of the previous generation.
But what I saw in Hana was not a burden but a genuine dream. She loves her mom, so she wants to fulfill her mom unfulfilled dream. And in the process, she can find her own meaning and make this dream her own.
I am grateful to have met her. She has given me hope for a new lease on life.
On the last day of the Christmas vacation, we chose to do a "Fartlek" run during the day. Fartlek is a Swedish term meaning "speed play," and it is done without a stopwatch, on unmeasured streets or trails. Simply put, it is a running exercise that alternates between fast and slow running without specific speeds or rest intervals.
We took turns being the leader during the Fartlek run, deciding when to run fast or slow. This was our third Fartlek training session. In the first two, I could hardly keep up with her when she was the leader in fast running. So when it was my turn to lead, I was already exhausted and she teased me that there was no difference between my fast and slow running speeds. Today, although there is still a gap in our speeds and fitness levels, I could barely keep up with her during the fast running.
So, after completing the training, Hana encouraged me with great amusements.
"Hahaha! Your form has improved a lot, Janny! This means you have been a great student in following and learning from my instructions!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4agMviJhS
"Thank you, my Master." I gasped for breath, squatting on the ground.
Hana had a big grin on her face and handed me a bottle of water.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpg6Sf5xil
I took the water, took a sip, and looked up at the clear sky.
"It seems that her dream of completing the marathon has also become my dream," I thought in my heart.
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