The Person I Love

The Person I Love

Why is it important to tell I love you?

Do you have people you love so much? I think you do. The person I love is my grandmother. She’s passed away 10 years ago when I was 15 years old. She and I were very close to each other and I was a grandma’s girl. She was a great cook, and charming, strong and funny. I used to go to her place all the time and she used to come to my home a lot too. Both of my parents were working, so she took care of me and my sister often. I took a trip with her every year, and made unforgettable memories I can still recall clearly, however, I also have so many regrets about her. When we found out she had a cancer, it was too late. Her cancer was metastasized in her body. Even though she was in bad shape, I had hope and belief that a miracle will happen and she will get well. The miracle didn’t happen. I never thought she would pass away this early. Right before she died, I was approaching puberty and was in the middle of my rebellious phase, and I said stuff I should never have said to her. Precisely because she and I were really close, we fought and argued a lot. She was trying to teach me how to be a better person, but I just couldn’t listen to her. I should have told her how much I loved her instead of saying something stupid before she died. I don’t know how I could be so stupid, but I thought I would have time with her more. I didn’t think I should told her how I feel about her right away. When I wanted to tell her how much I love her and she is so important to me, she was gone.

I learned from my mistake, and I never do the same thing to people around me. I always tell them how much I love them. I try to act the way I wouldn’t regret even if they were gone tomorrow. We need to say things to people we love when we can. Please don’t think they know your feelings already without saying anything. We have to make sure they know how you feel about them before they are gone. Because either of you will pass away earlier than another one. For that moment, I think it is very important to give expression to talk and spend time with them as much as you can. I wish you and your loved ones best, and may the relationship between you and them last for a very long time.

The Box Which is I keep letters from loved ones inside.

So many letters inside. The oldest one is from 15 years ago.

The letters from my grandmother. I brought them with me from Japan.

Valentine's Day in Japan

Valentine’s Day in Japan

The difference between the U.S. and Japan

February 14^th may be one of the important days for the romantic relationship. Couples could use this day for showing their gratitude and love to each other. In the United States, it is common that people exchange gifts, cards, candy or flowers, right? Since I came to the U.S. 3 years ago, I have seen men holding red roses for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. However, this is not what I see in Japan on Valentine’s Day.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is the “confession day” for girls who don’t have boyfriend. They prepare chocolate and give it to the guy that they are in love with. As Valentine’s Day gets closer, a lot of chocolates are sold from various brands at the food department in a shopping mall. Women go there and hunt the chocolate they want. The food department is so crowded, employees are shouting to get more customers to sell more chocolates… It is a war. Meanwhile, guys usually do nothing on Valentine’s Day. They also have a chance to get chocolates from women who are not their girlfriends because women give chocolate to not only for their love but also male friends. Not all of guys like candy and chocolate, but getting many chocolates is a status for them. I’m not a guy so I really don’t know, but I guess getting a lot of chocolates makes them feel popular, cool, macho etc. When the chocolate is not for confessing love, women always make sure to not mislead guys. Usually the chocolates for friends don’t have special wrappings, no hearts and no cards. It’s for being thankful to be friends.

So what should men do for women? There is a day called “White Day” in Japan. It’s March 14^th which is exactly after 1 month of Valentine’s Day. White Day is for men who got chocolates, giving something back to women. It started about 40 years ago in Japan by sweet treat companies for advertisement. They named it “White Day” because white symbolizes purity. Usually men get marshmallow or handkerchief for female friends, and for the partner, they tend to get more expensive gifts. Some of them take her out to the fancy restaurant. I think this custom comes from a typical Japanese characteristic. We Japanese feel that we have to give something back to them with gratitude when we get gift or treat from others. That’s why it was easy to make White Day established for Japanese people.

Valentine’s Day in the U.S. and Japan are a little different, but I think the motive is same. We want to make people we love happy. I hope you enjoy this year’s Valentine’s Day with friends, family and loved ones no matter you’re single or taken, and don’t forget to tell them how much you love them.

A bunny I got in the U.S.

Girls give chocolate to boys in Japan.

Girls get chocolate in the U.S.!