In the quiet solitude of his Rhode Island apartment, a father sat with a heaviness in his heart, reminiscing about the journey that brought him to this moment. His thoughts drifted back to the distant shores of Okinawa, where his path to fatherhood began amidst the pursuit of his master’s degree in Japan.

It was there, in a land far from home, that he received news of his daughter’s arrival. Yet, fate had conspired to keep them apart for nearly two years, until he finally returned to meet her for the first time. But instead of the joyous reunion he had imagined, he was met with a word that pierced his soul like a dagger – “Om”.

For months, no matter how hard her mother tried to reassure her, she persisted in calling him by this unfamiliar name, shutting him out with closed bedroom doors and tearful protests. Yet, through perseverance and unwavering love, he gradually won her over, until the sweet sound of “papa” filled the air, bridging the chasm between them.

Their bond deepened as they journeyed together through Bali, Indonesia, where rides on her father’s shoulders became cherished moments of connection. In Brisbane, Australia, they navigated the intricacies of school events, science projects, and shared adventures in the park. One of the funniest moments they shared was when she insisted on watching most kids’ movies, with their favorite being Madagascar. Their laughter echoed through the living room as they enjoyed these lighthearted moments together.

With each passing day, their father-daughter bond grew stronger, nurturing a relationship built on love and mutual respect. As her curiosity about the world grew, she expressed a desire to see the Central Station in New York, where the journey of the movie Madagascar began. Her excitement was palpable, and her father couldn’t help but share in her enthusiasm for exploration and discovery. As she grew older, they returned to their city in Manado, where they tackled new challenges together – from academic pursuits to language lessons and everything in between. But as her high school graduation approached, they faced another separation, this time for a journey to Germany. https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/fb09/institute/iib/nsf/mb/bilder/Dr.%20Walter%20Balansa/view

“I am so proud of you, my number one, watashi no ichiban, meine nummer eins” he whispered, promising to celebrate her success together. And amidst the beauty of Frankfurt, Hessen, and Paris, France, they found moments of joy and connection that strengthened their bond even further.

Now, as he found himself thousands of miles away once more, his daughter stood on the precipice of a new chapter in her life – graduation from Sam Ratulangi University. A milestone he longed to witness, yet one that would unfold without his physical presence.

Mixed emotions swirled within him – pride in her achievements, sorrow at his absence, and a longing to be by her side as she embarked on this next journey. Yet, amidst the ache of separation, he found solace in the memories they had shared and that fact that he is now only few hours distance away from the Central Station in New York, the bonds they had forged, and the love that transcended distance and time.

Though he may not be there in person to celebrate her success, his heart would always be with her, guiding her steps and cheering her on from afar. For in the tapestry of their lives, woven with moments of joy and sorrow, triumphs and challenges, their love remained the thread that bound them together, unbreakable and enduring.

And as he gazed out at the twilight sky, a sense of gratitude washed over him – grateful for the privilege of being her father, grateful for the memories they had created, and grateful for the promise of tomorrow, where their paths would inevitably converge once more, hopefully real soon in Kingston, Rhode Island, and its neighboring cities, Boston and New York.