Your world can change with a few words. A few simple sounds, and all of time can stand still for a brief moment. Changing everything. We often measure ourselves against these moments; who will we choose to be, what will we choose to do? Joseph Campbell refers to this as the ‘monomyth’; “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”

Destiny’s entwined, this journey has three heroes. Two scared parents thrown quickly into a Hell no one should ever experience, unprepared, and asked to choose life or death of their child. And an infant who, for now, floats unaware in relative solitude hearing only murmurs from the outside world. It is for her the greatest challenges await. But it is her who will bestow the greatest gifts on her fellow man.

As the bells ring out in the cold from St. Peters signaling Christmas Day, I’m reminded that our journey is far from over. As we leave the stage and prepare for act two, we pray. The scene is set for you my heroine.

Etsuko, without a word you fundamentally changed the way we see and accept the world. For that I will be eternally grateful. But the world you are entering will need more of that, be great, because the gift your mother and I returned with for the world was you.

Your loving Father.