I Just Wanted a 'Thank You'

"I just wanted a 'thank you'"

I love my children,
and I enjoy doing housework.

So, it's not a complaint that "you don't help me,"
and I'm not actually expecting that either.

It was painful that what I do was taken for granted,
and that I wasn't even thanked for it.

In counseling sessions with married couples or partners,
people sometimes pour out these feelings.



On the other hand,
I never take it for granted,
and I am grateful,
but I realize I haven't been expressing it.

Such reflections are also heard.



Your existence,
my existence,

there is nothing taken for granted about even that,
and yet, even though we don't think it's taken for granted,

when we get used to a relationship, because of that closeness,
things like "it's okay not to say it" or "they probably know without me saying it" might pile up.



While saying "it's fine, but..."
loneliness and anxiety often pile up in that space, don't they?

Everyone has their own way of conveying things, but
I think "conveying" is truly important.

I think it's important to check in with each other sometimes,
and to align with each other.



Because your "it's okay"
and the other person's "it's okay" can be different.

If possible, now that you've realized it,
after you get home, within today,
on the day you next meet,

to cherish the present with your loved one even more,
and to cherish the future as well,
say a heartfelt "thank you" once again.