I’m the mother of Koji and Nao. I live with my husband, who works full-time, and we enjoy a quiet, comfortable life. Koji, my eldest son, has three daughters with his wife, Keiko. My daughter Nao, who’s ten years younger than Koji, has a three-year-old daughter, Rin, with her husband Kazunari. Koji and Nao live less than an hour apart by car, and Nao sometimes visits Koji’s family. I always hoped that after we’re gone, the siblings would stay close and support each other—and that the grandchildren would grow up like four sisters, always getting along. But it seems Keiko felt differently.
My husband’s words really sank in. I’d been getting irritated at everything Keiko said or did, but that itself was wrong. I realized I was upset because I had expectations—I wanted her to fulfill our wishes. I wanted Rin to join the three girls and for them all to stay close forever. Keiko must have seen right through that hidden agenda. It was wrong of me to expect that from her, and wrong to try to force Rin into the group of three. Keiko may never come back again, but even so, I want to truly reflect on my actions.