I have 3 daughters, no sons. When my first daughter was born and I met her for the first time, I was mildly overwhelmed. I didn't know how to handle a baby girl. I grew up with two brothers, no sisters. I couldn't change her diapers due to feeling quite inadequate around such a precious package.
In succeeding years two more baby girls were born. I have no words for describing their loveliness. I attended their school events as much as possible, though my work sometimes interfered. The girls wanted to be with me all the time; when having dinner, when taking a bath, even when sitting on the lavatory! Every time I went to work, they tried to follow me. I had to leave home with painful reluctance.
But look now, they are 20, 18 and 15. Times have certainly changed. Two years ago, the youngest daughter lost herself in a long winding tunnel where she hides herself away, locked alone with her dreams. She no longer wants to share with me. She sits on the sofa away from me in the living room and even at the dining table. She didn't tell me when her school's athletic meeting was held, because she hated me to attend and take pictures or videos of her. I sometimes get impatient and angry with such behavior.
My wife advised me to remember the junior high school days of my eldest daughter. I'm sure that she acted similar. It seems that most young girls hate their fathers in their teens. Okay, but why? I always loved and cared for them. I did everything I could for them. It's utterly unreasonable.
As for the eldest, she seems to have surely made her way through the tunnel. She doesn't mind being seated next to me. January 8th was Coming of Age Day in Japan this year. She attended the ceremony with a gorgeous kimono. This event has brought home to me how time flies.
I'm hoping that the other daughters pass through the hideous tunnel as fast as possible. I miss them and await the day they can share their lives and dreams again.
(Vocabulary)
package 神様からの贈り物
utterly まったく 完全に
bring sth home (to sb) （＜人＞に）＜…＞を痛感させる, はっきりと悟らせる
They always make me proud.
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