Jeepney Press / Mae Grace

Facing Grace by Mae Grace

Have you ever felt so low and you don’t know where to go? Have you ever felt so homesick and the busy, noisy city cannot appease you? Ganito ang naramdaman ko noong kararating ko pa lamang dito sa Japan. Nauubos ang budget ko sa kakatawag long distance sa pamilya ko sa Pilipinas. Ngayon meron ng Messenger and Facebook, vivid pictures and video calls na ang uso ngayon.

But I guess it was those moments of extreme loneliness that made me become so curious about Japanese gardens and parks that I started spending more and more time visiting parks and discovering their beauty rather than get cooped up at home and feeling so moody and depressed. I was able to nd quiet places to rest my mind, to meditate and to discover many wonderful things not only about parks but also about the Japanese people and their amazing culture. One of my favorite places to visit is the Jindai Botanical Garden located in the hilly and picturesque part of Chofu City, somewhere on the west side of Tokyo.

This park has been a huge part of my family life as it is here where we spent most of our bonding moments, having picnics, bringing family, guests and friends here when they come to visit us at any time of the year no matter what the season would be, Jindai would always have something for everyone. These days, I still spend a lot of time visiting Jindai Botanical Park all by myself when I feel excited to take a peek at what’s blooming in here, or when I take my children along for a quick reenergizing visit. I took the new addition to our family here just a week ago, my two adorable “apo” for a fun picnic and had the joy of my life seeing their eyes widened with excitement when they saw the large lotus pads beckoning with beautiful blooms in a large pond by the tall pine trees. That was awesome experience indeed! I thank God for these precious moments and for this park that has now become a treasured part of my family and those I hold dear in my life.