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    Web and graphic design in Kobe, Japan since 1999
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I used to think I would grow up and have a big family, something I never had as a child since I am an only. During my first marriage in Berlin, I thought family was fantastic. So much so I decided to leave my country and stay with the great Polish family I had so comfortably been accepted into. When my ex-wife and I had our child, I was so happy. It seemed that I would be able to have a happy family. Well, the truth hit me pretty hard at 23. Responsibility set in and the trials of culture shock mixed in with a little man vs. woman spice and an inability to see farther than a day ahead forced me into a divorce.
I tried again when I met Tomoko, in San Francisco. We moved to Japan and have been quite happy. But I wonder if I have lost the family thing. Minoru, the man whose family we visited this weekend is SUCH a genki father. He was more interested in his three children than anything else. Then when he would sit down, pour everyone drinks and then maybe get up again to get something for the children. My wife went on and on how great he was while I sat there picking away at my wonderful food and savoring the flavors of shochu.

Now don’t get me wrong. I played and did typical dad stuff, but I didn’t come anywhere near to what Minoru did. I just wonder how a dad can be away from his family soooo much during the week come home and be with the children non-stop, fit some time in for the wife and still have enough time to enjoy his own life before his kids leave him to live in another country; at least in my case.



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