Itako 2nd Graduation

March 10, 2009 -

Freshly pressed uniforms, flowers all in place, a combination of tears and smiles - the day begins.

Happiness, sadness, nervousness - it's all around. Old doors close while new ones open. I have never once experienced this day in my life. Yet, I have experienced this event several times in my life. Tradition is different in Japan and therefore the coming of a graduation day is as well. We have our traditional moments in the ceremony as do the Japanese - its just different.

Today is a day of reflection, as it always is on Graduation day. I look out into the sea of black heads and realize I fit in quite well. From head to toe the boys are dressed in their black uniforms and the girls in their navy blue. The teachers are in black head to toe and I too from head to toe, am wearing a black velvet jacket, the black dress I interviewed in for JET, black hose, and patent leather black shoes...I can't forget my pearl necklace. I have conformed. I have conformed to the ideals of the Japanese. However, I still have my own flair and individuality (that I refuse to give up, just simply tame down) and therefore can't say I have completely conformed. I chose to paint my nails red - rebel. In ways I fit in and in others I am simply different for obvious reasons. From behind, many will say I look Japanese. However, the moment I turn around I am immediately separated from that potential.

The hugs and the love that is being expressed to me today is unbelievable. It is amazing to realize how wanted you are. Having the girls hug me is typical but even the boys are hugging me. The salty tears are rolling down the beautiful faces of these children. They tell me they love me. and that they will never forget me. Tell me how that is not a tear jerker...I too began to shed some tears through the smile afixed upon my freckled face.

The pure fact and need of being wanted is a hope of all humans. Being the ONE foreigner in my school makes this really come alive. When you are mixed among the rest it is difficult to sometimes stand out amongst the rest. I have made an impact on these children's lives and I will honestly never forget this day. It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining bright - and the first of many chapters of my life in Japan has come to a happy, hopeful end.

I am coming home to America next week and I certainly feel it is at an appropriate time in the year. It is the end of my first school year. I came in the middle of the year and its nice to be part of the end of this particular year. I am so glad I have chosen to stay another year. One year simply is not enough. I have invested so much time and effort into my relationships here that it would simply be a shame just to up and leave them here...

I leave you with this:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Attributed to Mark Twain, unconfirmed