Such a hard thing to become a father

A woman reread a poem written by her late father many years ago, when he must have been around the same age she is now: "My black work clothes/ Hated by my kids/ Reek of sweat or perhaps grease." She again felt gratitude and affection for her father as she recalled how hard he had worked each day without complaint, his sole "luxury" being the cheap tobacco he bought.

Sunday was Father's Day, and I found myself unable to stop reading "Musume to Musuko ga Tsuzuru Oyaji no Senaka" (Dad's back, as recalled by daughters and sons) published by The Asahi Shimbun.

The book contains 94 essays written by people of all ages, selected from among 1,720 entries submitted to the publisher.