The Little SOS My Son Gave Me While I Was Only Focused on Work

"Sometimes, I want you to give me a big hug, Dad."
Last night, my son suddenly said that to me.
I reflexively asked, "Huh?" but he was already back to playing his game with a smile.
It didn't seem like my reply even reached him.
But those words...They haven't left my mind all day today.

◆ Lately, I've been...
So busy with work that I haven't been able to talk to my children properly.
Even when I get home and have a little time to see them,
the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, "I'm so tired."
The kids say, "Thanks for your hard work," but
they don't say anything beyond that.
I'm sure they were just being considerate of me.

When did I become like this at home...?

◆ Even though I check in on my subordinates at work
While I'm at the office, I worry about how my subordinates are doing, talk to them,
and am always paying attention to how someone is feeling.
But at home, it's like I'm a completely different person,
just an empty shell.
By the time I get home, my HP is already at zero.

Perhaps it was me who had been putting the children's feelings on the back burner.

My son had been watching that side of me.
In his words, "I want you to give me a hug,"
I felt a little bit of "loneliness" mixed in.

◆ I immediately gave my son a big hug
How many more times will I be able to hear him say,
"I want you to give me a hug" so honestly?
Above all else—
I need to be the kind of [Dad] who is worth saying that to.

Using the busyness of work as an excuse,
I was about to leave something important behind.
Today, I finished my work right away,
and hugged my children with all my might when they greeted me with, "Welcome home!"

◆ Lastly, let me say just one thing
Thanks to my children, I feel like I can do my best again tomorrow.
I want to be a [Dad] who can properly protect their smiles.
That was the kind of night it was.

That was an event that made me feel like writing about my children.
Work is incredibly tough and I feel like giving up sometimes, but
when I see my children looking at me with their pure eyes, I can do my best again tomorrow.