Everyone, Everybody, & Myself

March 4th, Day 3

Today was a memorable day—full of happiness, yearning, and education. Today,

we came off the experience of being with our host families. Saying goodbye to our

Obāsan was incredibly challenging. I was filled with feelings of love and acceptance.

Nothing mattered except our being. We shared meals, smiles, knowledge, experience,

and respect. Saying goodbye was very challenging given that experiences like these

are rare and hard to come by. Simply put, I am extremely grateful. I pushed myself out

of my comfort zone. I do not normally open up to new people, but I knew on this trip,

with this experience, I had to let go of anything that would hinder my capability to be

open.

After we said goodbye, we went to visit Mirai Ships Inc. Seeing the men and

women work on the shipyard using their bare hands made me understand the privilege

of life I have. I have never had to work in a shipyard or on a field. I have never had to do

strenuous labor to keep myself and my family afloat. Seeing them work connected me

to my ancestors. Although my lineage is not Japanese, I felt connected to the strength

and power of their energy. We are not different. I keep saying that we are not different.

We are fundamentally the same—human beings. The only things that divide us are the

things we’ve made up.

Next, we met with the founders of Women’s Eye. She said, “If you don’t give up,

your wishes will come true.” How can a grassroots organization be the philosophy—the

key to life? It made me reflect on my own sayings about how my thoughts turn into

actions, which create my reality. It is one and the same. I felt validated during this talk. It

was almost like my older cousin was speaking to me—validating me about the

harshness of what life can do and how to keep going.

Today was a day like no other. Although it was a packed itinerary and I was

fighting the sleepiness, I couldn’t help but remain awake for things that mean so much

to me and that touch the animation of who I am. I won’t ever forget it. To see you is to

see me. What I do affects you. I am not alone in this world, and I have the power to

keep going.

-Madelyn Wallace