One day, my elementary school daughter asked me if she could make dalgona (honeycomb toffee made with brown sugar and baking soda). As I had just finished cleaning the house, I didn’t want the house to get messy but allowed her to do it because I felt sorry for her staying only in the house due to online classes.
My middle school son, who said at first he wouldn’t do it, was active later perhaps he got interested in what his younger sister was doing. It was nice to see two sensitive children in puberty making dalgona together like they were playing house. After seeing that, I went into the room. But, a little later, I heard the sound of my son running to the bathroom with his annoying voice and washing himself.
When I came out to the living room, my son was sitting on a couch, doing ice packs, and my daughter looked upset and was cleaning up the messy place due to sugar powders and other tools. I asked my son what happened and he said he got burned. At the moment, I got angry with him because he seemed to pass the cleaning on to his younger sister for his little problem. So I scolded him, then he began to help his younger sister clean up the messy place, shedding big drops of tears.
Later, when I took a closer look at my son’s hands and feet, I was startled at a big blister on his foot and several small blisters on his hands. I was ashamed of myself for scolding my son without even checking his condition. I was so sorry to him that I felt heavy-hearted.
A few days later, I had time for “I’m sorry and thank you” after keeping the Happy Home worship with my children. I said sorry first to my children for what I have done.
“Son, a few days ago, you were in much pain due to the burns on your hands and feet. I’m sorry for being angry with you without even looking at them.”
I was chocked up when I said sorry to my son, and I couldn’t help but thank God.
“You must have been upset to be scolded while you were in pain. Despite that, you said sorry first. I am really thankful to God for giving me this good son.”
And then I expressed my feelings about my daughter.
“I didn’t listen carefully to you with the excuse that I was tired. But you always wanted to help me. I thank God for giving me this beautiful daughter.”
My two children became quite serious at my words. Taking her turn, my daughter said, “I’m sorry that I keep putting off things to do though I said I would do that, and I am thankful because I have Mom, who still loves me.” She also said to her older brother, “I’m sorry for bothering you and irritating you often. And I’m thankful to have my brother, who plays with me well.”
Lastly, it was my son’s turn. Since he used to decline with a wave of his hand, I thought he’d just skip it this time too. But, he began to say quietly, “I’m sorry to Mom that I keep getting annoying with you, not listening to you under the pretext that I’m in puberty. Despite that, you say sorry first. Thank you, Mom. Also, I’m sorry to my sister for getting angry with you and asking you to do this and that, and thank you for caring about me.”
When we spoke our true feelings, we became closer to each other and more affectionate than before. I am truly thankful to God for giving me the courage to say sorry first, and granting me the chance to soothe my children’s broken heart. Since then, they look forward to the time of “I’m sorry and thank you” along with the Happy Home worship.