hug

We don’t really have a habit of hugging in Japan. I’ve never hugged my wife as a routine, and I can’t even remember walking with my arm around her waist. Mostly because it just makes walking difficult.

A couple of years ago, I said something to my wife that upset my elder daughter, and she didn’t speak to me for about a week. One night, she came home late and drunk, and suddenly hugged me while crying. She said,

“Dad, I love you, I love you… I’m sorry for rebelling against you… Please wash the dishes yourself. I feel sorry for Mom…”

I was a little embarrassed. But ever since then, I’ve washed the dishes after dinner.





We had gone through some difficult years since she was a teenager, and she lived on her own for a while. I remember going to see a circus with her back then and talking about life. After she moved back home, I received a letter from her on my birthday a few years ago. In it, she apologized for how she had behaved when she was younger. I’ve carried that letter in my work bag ever since, like a charm. 

 

Comments

  1. BrookMay 24, 2013, 10:13:00 PM

    Moving story!
    I am now in the midst of a storm, the relationship with my sixteen-year-old son.
    I think the hardest time has passed but still we are in the turmoil.
    Everybody to whom I complain it consoles me telling that the time will surely come that I will look it back somehow happily.
    I was doubtful what they say but your story has made me be sure of the “time effect”.
    By the way, my daughter (my princess, as you know (^_-)) and I used hug all the time while I never hug my husband nor my son.
    I miss hugging her very much!
    If I tried to hug my son, he would say “Disgusting!”
    Having a teenager son is a hard thing!
    I do appreciate your habit of washing dishes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. F HiroshiMay 25, 2013, 9:42:00 AM

      Don't worry. Children's rebelling against the parents won't continue for so long.
      My younger daughter didn't have the rebellious period, so she's never hugged me.

      Now, my elder daughter and I have a good relationship.

      Delete

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