A month ago today, I was packing my big pink suitcase my dad surprised me with years ago to go on a three-week trip back home to Japan. My family and I had been talking about this trip for quite some time. We didn’t think this day would actually come because it had been so long since I had been home. I kept trying to picture in my mind what the moment would look like when I came out of the gate at the airport and reunited with family. I wondered what our reactions would be after seeing each other together, my dad, mom, brother, and me for the first time in years. It was such an exciting time for all of us, even better this was all happening on Christmas day.
My flight left for Dallas airport early in the morning from Wichita. It was a short one-hour flight but wow, it was the best plane ride I had ever been on. I met two incredible ladies that made me feel so grateful. We talked the whole way to Dallas and had the privilege to hear their life stories. One of them had fought stomach cancer and survived it. She had and still has a lot of things to adjust to, but her faith and courage toward all the heartache she’s had made my heart full. The other friend I met is a teacher and her passion for her career was inspiring. Her caring personality shined through like none other. They were both such genuine people and I was just so happy to be able to spend a little bit of Christmas morning with them.
After saying bye to the two new wonderful friends, I headed straight to my next gate, D29. Right as I got there, I heard an announcement saying whoever flying to Tokyo, Japan needs to show documentation and proof of a negative Covid test. So, I walked up to the desk next to the gate, where I saw four gate agents, two Japanese and two Americans. I got up there and showed them everything they asked for, but the lady’s expression on her face didn’t look so good. She started talking to the other agent who was next to her and asked her questions regarding my passport. At this point my heart was racing, and I felt this weird and unexplainable feeling inside of me. After what felt like forever, they told me I couldn’t leave the country. There was an issue with my passport I had to figure out before I could go back to Japan. It felt so unreal, and I was in absolute shock. There had to be something I could do to fix this within the next 30 minutes before they closed boarding.
I called everyone I knew who could help me over the phone or FaceTime, but nothing satisfied the requirements. I kept going up to the front desk asking if there was anything I could do to get on the plane. It was obvious that they were tired of answering my questions and dealing with this situation. I will never be able to forget the way the gate agents looked at me. They had a look of annoyance and treated me like I was neither Japanese nor American; just a nobody. The reality that I wasn’t going to go home started to creep in. The screen next to the door finally said, “Boarding Closed.” I felt so empty but heavy at the same time and could hardly move. I physically felt sick and disgusted by the situation. In the midst of everything, one of the agents who I found out was the supervisor made the time to get me a ticket to fly me back to Wichita that same day. I was simply grateful for her kindness.
After having a month to process what happened, many more emotions keep flowing into my mind. It’s crazy to think this all happened in one day. It was one of the hardest and most painful situations I’ve ever been in, but I keep telling myself and the people I talk to that this wasn’t a bad day, it was just a really challenging experience that happened within that day. Even through everything, there was so much good that happened that morning on the way to the airport. From my aunt who took me to the airport saying, “no one deserves to not have a stocking on Christmas morning!” and surprised me with goodies, to seeing the sunrise from the plane with the new friends I made while sharing our stories and making strong connections with who I know I will keep in touch with for a very long time. I had so many conversations and moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Because of the sadness, the greater joy I felt towards all the goodness that came my way that day.
I know this blog is longer than any of the other ones I’ve written so if you’ve made it this far, thank you. I didn’t know if I was ready to write about this or how long or short it would be, but I decided to go for it. I still feel as if I can’t find the exact words to describe this, but this is what came to my heart. I also want to thank all my friends and countless individuals who have been by my side cheering me up through this tough season. There are friendships that have deepened because of this and memories that have been made that otherwise wouldn’t have been made. The biggest point I wanted to get across is that there is always something good. Some days you may have to look a little harder, but they are out there! We have the capability to see and feel so much in life and we have the gift to decide if we want to see the good. Everyone’s reality is different, and our life circumstances are different, but I hope that as you go throughout your everyday life, whether that’s going to school, going to your job, visiting a loved one in the hospital, or whatever that experience may look like for you, I encourage you to pick out at least one thing that is good and hold on to that. Spread that goodness and know that all will be well.
Forever your encourager,
Lydia Watanabe