Family

In life, nothing is more precious than a happy family, where every member shares joy, sorrow, and always feels warmth. But even within a family, sometimes the carelessness of one person can become a sharp knife cutting the sacred bond of love. I want to share my story, as a father who witnessed the breakdown of his family and the unending pain of seeing his daughter change after that event.

My family was once very happy. We had a little daughter named Linh, who was like the morning sunshine in our home. Linh was always energetic, cheerful, and my greatest pride. But then, carelessness gradually crept into our family life. At first, the small arguments between my wife and me didn’t seem to matter much. But as they repeated, coupled with work stress and financial pressures, we grew apart. I failed to realize that my indifference and lack of attention were hurting my wife. She also became increasingly distant and cold. Each of us was absorbed in our own world, and the gap between us grew wider by the day.

In the end, we decided to divorce. It was a decision I thought would free us both at the time. But we didn’t realize that the one who would be most hurt wasn’t me or her, but Linh. My daughter, the child I once believed could overcome anything, had to bear a shock too great for her to handle.

After the divorce, Linh stayed with her mother. I tried my best to provide financial support and visit her every week, but my post-divorce economic situation didn’t allow me to do much more. Linh began to change. She became quiet and no longer as cheerful as before. During my visits, her eyes always held a deep sadness that I could never forget. Linh once told me that her classmates often teased her, saying she was a child who "has parents but is like an orphan." Those cruel words turned my confident, lively daughter into a withdrawn, vulnerable child.

There was one time when Linh hugged me tightly and cried her heart out: "Dad, why do my friends say I don’t have a family? I have you, I have Mom. But why doesn’t our family feel like other families?" At that moment, I was speechless. I could only hold her, swallow my tears, and blame myself. I knew that my carelessness had contributed to the breakdown of our family, and the heaviest burden was now on Linh’s small shoulders.

As time passed, Linh gradually became depressed. She no longer wanted to go to school or play like she used to. I took her to see a psychologist, but every time I saw the sadness in her eyes, my heart ached. I kept asking myself where I went wrong, but the answer was always clear: I was careless, I didn’t listen, I didn’t understand, and I didn’t know how to cherish our family.

Many long nights, I sat looking at our old family photos, where Linh’s bright smile lit up as she stood beside me and her mother. That image felt like a knife cutting deep into my heart. I wished I could turn back time to erase the arguments, to show more care, and to love more. But time never turns back.

Now, the only thing I can do is try for Linh’s sake. I want to make up for her, even though I know the scars in her heart will never completely heal. I’ve learned to listen to her and to be there for her more. I understand that while I can’t change the past, I can still build a better future for my daughter.

Through my story, I want to convey a message to anyone reading this: Never take your family for granted. Carelessness might seem like a small act in your eyes, but it can create massive cracks in the hearts of those you love. Cherish, listen, and appreciate what you have because family is where every pain can be soothed, and every joy becomes more meaningful.

To me, Linh is still the sunshine of my life, and I will do everything to ensure she lives in the love and care she deserves from the very beginning. This is a plea from a father who once made mistakes, and a wish for every family to never have to break apart like mine.