The reality and feelings of single-parent families
The most vivid record
Now, I want to share the hope I found in my wounds.

When people think of 'single parents', they think there must be something lacking or difficult.
However, these thoughts are nothing more than misunderstandings and prejudices that discourage not only children growing up in single-parent households, but also mothers and fathers who are responsible for economic activities and childcare without a spouse.
Rather, single parents are courageous adults who protect their children until the end, even in the midst of life's unexpected turmoil.
Single parents are not special.
Just as anyone could have a fender bender on a busy commute, so too did they become single parents.


This book is a healing text written by five single parents who bravely endured the weight of life and lived each day, and it is a vivid record that shows the reality of single-parent families.
They speak candidly of the profound loss of losing a loved one, the responsibility they must bear alone, the small joys they share with their children amidst seemingly endless anxiety, and the hope they find amidst hurt and pain.
So this story will resonate deeply not only with single-parent families, but also with everyone living their lives as parents or children.
Some people will find comfort in reading this book, while others will resolve to live a courageous life.

There were many difficult moments, such as the funeral, organizing my wife's belongings, and reporting her death, but strangely enough, organizing the house was the most mentally difficult.
It might be because the time I spent with my wife was the most memorable.
On the day I signed the sales contract and the day before I moved in, I cried alone in the house that had become larger to accommodate my wife's absence.
--- p.33

There is nothing we can decide about who we love, when we love, or how we love.
Even though we know it well, at some point we let go of the tension and forget everything, acting as if we can love and be loved whenever we want.
Let's remember this so that we don't regret it again.
All I can do is love the person next to me as best I can.

--- p.65

Rather than the pitiful image that comes to mind when thinking of single-parent families, I want to show that they are people who know how to receive help when times are tough, and can be people who give help when times are a little better.
I also have a deep-seated belief that it is our society's responsibility to help our children grow up well without discrimination, regardless of who their parents are.

--- p.102

The experience of that day is still vivid in my mind.
Life for me is not about grand success or miracles.
Realizing that even a few bundles of perilla leaves contain hidden lessons and gratitude, all of those small, everyday things were the force that made me stronger.
“It’s okay if you’re a little awkward.
“At the end of the day, if I can be proud of my children, that’s enough for me.”
--- pp.129-132

I am a mother and once a wife, but now I am an independent person.
And above all, there is a person named 'I' in front of all those names.
I am the whole me, neither anyone's guardian nor anyone's daughter.
But rather than looking at myself like that, I tried to show myself that I was 'living better than anyone else' for a long time.
A warm home, well-behaved children, a diligent wife, and a caring daughter-in-law.
A life where you do everything perfectly
I thought it would give me a lift and prove myself.

--- p.141

I don't remember the entire conversation at the time, but the phrase, "Is the child being neglected?" remains deeply etched in my heart.
I know the question wasn't meant to be malicious, but it sounded different to me.
“Why are you so irresponsibly neglecting your child?” I ended up interpreting it as a reprimand.
The word 'neglect' struck my heart like a hammer.

--- p.167

'Perfection, success, goal-achievement, good-looking, good at everything.'
In fact, these are the words I liked, the words that I wanted to describe myself.
I wanted to be good at everything, be successful, and look cool and confident.
I wanted to have good relationships, a prestigious job, and a happy family.
There was an idealistic pursuit of a perfect life that had everything.
What other people saw of me was important.
It was a result of a deficiency that began in childhood, where I was not recognized, criticized, and loved.

--- p.185

As we divorced, our relationships became more clearly defined.
I began to calmly reflect on my relationships, recalling my acquaintances one by one.
My husband's family, to whom I had done my best, became strangers to me as soon as the documents were sorted out.
They were once my family, but in the end, they made me realize that it was just a relationship for the sake of a relationship.
A relationship that is easy to become close to and easy to forget.
Now, it's really just me and the child left.

--- p.217