Who decides what a happy family is?

When I go to a restaurant with my daughter, I sometimes get asked, "Isn't Mom with you today?" without any malice.

I reply, "This is just how our family is."

Then, there are times when the air becomes a little awkward, with them saying, "Oh, I see."

Of course, it's not the other person's fault.

I think it was just casual conversation.

But just for that moment, I am reminded once again that we are a family that is a little different from "normal."

—

When raising a child as a single father, it's not uncommon to be told, "That must be tough."

I think that's true.

I finish work, pick her up from daycare, make dinner, give her a bath, and do the laundry.

If my daughter gets sick, I have to adjust my work schedule.

There are nights when I feel anxious thinking about my daughter's future.

It would be a lie to say it isn't tough.

—

But when I get home, there is my daughter, running up to me with a smile, saying, "Daddy, I'm hungry!"

We eat together, laugh at silly things, and play with her favorite toys.

Before going to sleep, we say, "Today was fun, wasn't it?" and the day ends.

The things I was thinking about just a moment ago are forgotten before I know it.

At that moment, I suddenly wonder: what is "normal" anyway?

—

Having a father and a mother and children—of course, I think that is a happy family, too.

But is that the only form of happiness?

The time spent eating with my daughter while laughing.

The nights we fall asleep saying, "Today was fun, wasn't it?" to each other.

Living through such casual, everyday moments, I start to think that happiness isn't something someone else decides.

—

From the world's perspective, our family might be a little different from "normal."

Even so, my daughter is smiling today, and I am smiling too.

Happiness isn't something determined by comparing yourself to others.

I believe the time we can spend laughing together is our own version of happiness.

Perhaps there isn't just one form of happiness.

—

Thank you for reading until the end.

In this note, I put into words the things I have felt through raising my child as a single father and through my work in human resources.

If you think, "I'd like to read more," I would be happy if you followed me.

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