There is a moment in every parent’s life that feels like a quiet miracle. For me, it was looking at a small, crumpled piece of paper—the result of my daughter’s very first Hiragana practice.
For those unfamiliar with Japanese, Hiragana is our basic alphabet. It’s the very first step in our writing system, much like how children in English-speaking countries start by learning their “A, B, C.”
On a blank sheet of paper with no lines or frames to guide her, my daughter worked so hard to form each character. Her letters were wobbly and oversized, and some were even mirrored or slightly messy.
But seeing those shaky lines, I could feel her determination to learn.
After she spent time practicing these characters, a wonderful thing happened. She used what she had learned to write me a little note:
“I love apples. Look, Mom!”
The practice sheet itself wasn’t a formal letter, but those first shaky characters were the foundation for her very first message to me. To a mother’s eyes, those wobbly lines are more precious than any award.
In this digital age, we often forget the warmth of handwriting. But seeing my daughter’s tiny fingers grip the pencil to express her feelings reminded me of what matters most: the simple joy of connecting with those we love.
If your child is just starting to learn their letters—whether it’s the ABCs or Hiragana—I highly recommend starting a “secret note exchange.”
It doesn’t have to be perfect. These imperfect characters are a beautiful record of their growth—a snapshot of a time that passes all too quickly.
English
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