Grandfather and Grandson

They hadn’t seen each other in person in nearly two years, and they barely speak any of each other’s language, but that hasn't stopped Kai from continuing the very tight bond with his grandfather who is visiting from Japan.

On our recent road trip to Yellowstone, each night we all shared a motel room, and Kai and his grandfather had to share a bed. Kai did not mind, though. At home, he prefers to have someone sleep with him in his room and it has been tough at times to get him to sleep alone. So, getting to sleep in the same room with all the adults was a treat, and he seemed to like having his grandfather right next to him. One morning, I awoke and found Kai sleeping all the way over on his grandfather’s pillow, both sound asleep.

On our first night home, back in his own bed, Kai said he had couldn’t fall asleep and wanted to sleep in his grandfather’s room with him. I had gone to bed early that evening, but Jiji said he didn't mind and so my wife agreed to let Kai sleep with him. And so it has been every night since.

But it’s not just at night that Kai seeks out his grandfather. Kai is always asking Jiji to play with him. In the photo below, they are playing with Kai’s Trashies collection. And though Jiji is often confused about what Kai is asking him to do, Kai doesn’t seem to mind. (My wife and I do try to translate whenever we can).

They also had great fun teasing each other during a game of Uno.

I was very worried that as Kai gets older he would grow a bit distant from his grandfather, but that has not been the case at all thus far. If anything, the bond just keeps getting stronger.

And that goes to show that speaking the same language is not a requirement when there is real, authentic love.