Kizuna

I walked into the room just now. First and Kinder were playing on the couch. First looked up and at me. Then he turned to Kinder and said, "let's play in our room...want to?" Kinder looked up at his brother and said, "sure" and off they went. A moment later, one of them, I'm guessing First, closed the door that connects their room to the living room.

Kizuna is a Japanese word which has no direct translation to a word in English because of all that is implied when it is stated. Connection, one that is woven together, almost to the point of remaining somehow dynamic despite its strength which is derived from depth and feels monolithic. Common goals, common trials, common hopes, common time...all can lead to kizuna.

There was something in the quality of the "...want to?" in First's query which spoke of friendship, of choice, rather than obligation borne of birth order or some other source of power, real or believed. (Believing makes it real, doesn't it?)

(Kinder usually follows without word or thought..First rarely asks. Or they are completely content parallel or on their own.)


And there was something in that moment, a flame was fed life, and the kizuna that exists between my children was deepened a bit, as First turned away from me to pursue something all his own.