(II from Fukuoka Prefecture/60s/Female/Temporary Employee)
Seven years ago, our second son and his wife were on the verge of divorce. Not only the two of them, but my husband and the family members of our daughter-in-law were all in favor of their divorce. But not me. I really hoped to do my best so that their encounter, which I believed was predestined, would become a truly good one.
Determined to Cherish the Family Ties
During the past 15 years, my husband had been saved from the brink of life and death―when he went through liver transplantation and cerebral infarction. Especially with his liver transplantation operation, it was our second son who provided my husband with the liver. I was really grateful that he had saved my husband. Just as we never gave up on his life at that time, so would I never give up on their family ties.
Worried about our second son and his wife, I kept on trying to get a hold of him. However, he hung up at once when I called him up, and he wouldn’t respond to my emails. As I got no response from him at all, at last, my husband told me to leave him alone.
When My Attitudes Towards Them Changed…
I felt like giving up. But as I went on to talk with my husband wishing for their happiness, I came to be determined to set a good example to live by Kami’s teachings. And I came to visit Kami no Yakata with my husband more often. Then, I became more and more considerate of the feelings of our son and his wife who must have been having a tough time, rather than expressing our worries directly with our deeds. The whole thing started to change after I texted our daughter-in-law with my sincere heart put into it.
When we gave our grandchild a school bag, we received a thank-you phone call. Our son must have let him call us up. We felt embraced in hope. Eventually, we came to receive emails from our son and his wife, and we got into contact even with his wife’s mother.
Feeling the Existence of the Family in Our Hearts
During this summer vacation, our second son and his wife, who used to decline our invitation, came to our house with their child. This time, they accepted our invitation. For the very first time, our three children and their spouses, and our eight grandchildren―they all gathered at our home. The grandchildren met each other for the first time, but they quickly became friendly and it was like a summer camp. “Ah, this is the family.” My husband and I were soaking up the happiness of seeing our children and grandchildren talking friendly.
Our second son and his wife say that they no longer think of divorce at all. Recently, his wife came to me for my advice on child-rearing. It is like a dream that such a day has come when I can communicate with her like this.
Now the kokoro of the family has been firmly connected, which was unthinkable seven years ago. I am experiencing the wondrousness of Kami’s teachings which guides, not only my kokoro but also the kokoro of my dearest family.
Heeding the Shinji to Understand the Reasons for the Joys Experienced
Shinji is the universal principle (truth), and can also be the guidance of life that foresees the future. Please feel the wonders of a life that flows exactly in a way the Shinji tells us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
Your ties to your family members are predestined.
The human kokoro (soul) anchors in a family that deepens its relationships through the principles and the emotion to go against the path does not occur.
Human beings inherit good elements in this kind of family environment, and they connect strongly to their Kokoro no Michi.
This is a family that thrives.