兒子的獨立之路

2023年11月，兒子Jack因大學實習需要用車，我便為他買了一輛二手車。11月22日那天，他第一次獨自駕車，從我們位於北島的卡蒂卡蒂啟程，駛向南島的基督城——他的大學所在之地。

行程第一段是從卡蒂卡蒂到惠靈頓，約五百五十公里，然後在惠靈頓住半晚，在半夜時間搭上橫渡庫克海峽的三小時半輪渡，然後再駕車三百四十公里，方能抵達基督城。

這是他第一次獨自完成如此長途的旅程，還包括坐船。出發前，我叮囑了許多細節，車輛也進行了全面的檢查和保養。但即便如此，我心裡仍是充滿擔憂。然而我也明白：孩子長大了，我必須放手，讓他自己去面對前方的道路——無論那裡會有困難，抑或風險，就象人第一次駕車的長途旅行。

心中是萬般的不舍，萬般的擔憂。

我站在屋前，看着他的車緩緩地、緩緩地駛離我們家的車道。幾秒鐘後，他右轉進入公路，毫不停留前去了。房屋擋住了我看他遠去的視線。

我在原地站了許久，望着他離去的方向，心中既有一絲憂慮，也有一絲欣慰。

那一刻，我感到了，這正是他走向未來獨立的堅定腳步！

為了抵達基督城，他需要兩天一夜。我只希望他謹慎駕駛，平安順利。

孩子終究要長大。終有一天，他們必須離開父母的屋檐，走向社會，在風雨中礪煉，在陽光下成長，在更廣闊的天地里找到自己的合適人生。身為父母，我們不能因為擔心未來的不確定性，就不敢放手。

自那次長途之旅之後，他又有數次自己駕車長途旅行，但我的擔憂慢慢減少了。

轉眼兩年過去。現在，Jack大學畢業了，也順利地找到了工作。在2026年二月正式上班前，他還將和他的一個朋友一起去日本旅行一趟。這既是他對自己大學生涯的獎賞，也是又一次的鍛煉——而且旅費還是他自己上學期間打工賺的，是他對自己的饋贈。

JACK，幹得好！祝賀你！希望你勇敢地堅定向前!

2025-12-06

The Road to Independence of My Son Jack

In November 2023, my son Jack needed a car for his university internship, so I bought him a second-hand one. On 22 November, he drove by himself for the first time, departing from our home in Katikati on the North Island and heading toward Christchurch on the South Island—the city where his university is located.

The first part of the journey was from Katikati to Wellington, about 550 kilometers. He stayed half night in Wellington, then took the three-and-a-half-hour ferry across the Cook Strait in midnight, and finally drove another 340 kilometers before reaching Christchurch.

It was his first time completing such a long journey on his own, one that even involved taking a ferry. Before he left, I reminded him of many details, and the car had been thoroughly inspected and serviced. Even so, I was still full of worry. Yet I also understood that he had grown up, and that I had to let go and allow him to face the road ahead by himself—whether it holds difficulties or risks, just like a long journey one drives first time in his life

My heart was filled with reluctance and anxiety.

I stood in front of the house, watching his car move slowly—very slowly—down our driveway. A few seconds later, he turned right onto the road and drove off without hesitation. The house blocked my view, and I could no longer see him as he continued farther away.

I remained there for quite a long time, looking in the direction he had gone, feeling both a trace of worry and a trace of comfort.

At that moment, I truly sensed that it was a firm step of his independent journey toward the future.

To reach Christchurch, he needed two days and one night. All I hoped for was that he would drive carefully and arrive safely.

Children must grow up. One day, they must leave their parents’ shelter and step into society—tempered by storms, nourished by sunshine, and finding their place in a wider world. As parents, we cannot refuse to let go simply because we fear the uncertainties ahead.

Since that first long journey, he has taken several long trips on his own, and my worries have gradually eased.

In the blink of an eye, two years have passed. Jack has now graduated from university and has already secured a job. Before starting work in February 2026, he will travel to Japan with one of his friends. It is both a reward he gives himself for completing his studies and another chance to train and challenge himself—and the travel expenses were earned by his own part-time work during his university years. It is a gift he gives to himself.

Jack, well done! Congratulations! May you move forward with courage and determination!

2025-12-06