I am now 24 years old. The words ‘thank you’ are not enough to express my gratitude for raising me, but I truly appreciate everything you have done.
I am filled with gratitude towards both of you, Dad and Mom, for supporting all four of us siblings until our graduation.
After graduation, when I asked to study abroad, Mom was worried, saying, ‘You often got sick as a child, and you are not physically strong or emotionally resilient. How can you live alone in a foreign country?’ But Dad let me go to Japan, thinking it would be good for me to strive and fulfill my dreams as an adult.
Once I got permission to go to Japan, I decided that I wanted to be someone who wouldn’t worry you two, someone who could take care of myself.
As I thought, there were many difficulties when I first arrived in Japan. Even as an adult, I felt embarrassed about being unable to manage basic tasks. At that time, I always thought of Mom. Mom had always done everything for the family by herself without letting me, an adult, handle household chores. She never said a word like ‘It’s tough to do everything in the house by myself. Do your own things.’ Now that I live alone, I have come to understand Mom’s feelings and hardships.
Now, I go to school every day, have a part-time job, and can take care of myself. I want to show you, Dad and Mom, the adult I have become now. I think you would be a little relieved to see the current me. Even if I get sick, I don’t inform you and take care of it myself, and I try to solve any difficult situations without telling you, as much as I can.
As a child, I only heard fun things from you, Dad and Mom. So, I was always able to spend my time in a fun and enjoyable way. Now, I want to give back some happiness to you two. I would be happy if Dad and Mom could feel a little bit happier because of me.
The one writing this letter is me, who has been living alone in Japan for a year. So, I have completely changed and become a true adult. Dad, Mom, you don’t have to worry about me anymore. I will continue to do my best in Japan. I am looking forward to living with the whole family again. My wish is for Dad and Mom to always stay healthy. Take care.