The Letter
For lack of anything better to post, here's the text of the letter that I left with Maya's toys, books and clothes. Even the court mediators say that if Mapi finds it she's almost sure to throw it straight out. It's plain and unedited, but for whatever it's worth, here it is for "posterity".
For my dearest Maya, my treasure:
I love you more than anything in the world -- more than words can say. My only hope for you is that you will be happy. Since you were taken away I have looked everywhere for you. I have done everything I could to find you, to be there for you, and to be ready for when you need me.
I have tried my best and, for now, there is nothing more that I can do in Japan. So, I'm going to your other country, America. Always remember: you are not 「ハーフ」("half", the Japanese term for a biracial/bicultural individual), you are whole and better than whole. you have two parents, two countries, two languages, and two cultures. Those are yours by right and they always will be. For me, you are the morning star that shines both day and night. And I will love you no matter who or what you become, no matter where you are -- I will always love you. I hope your mother will keep these things for you, read this letter for you, and give it for you to keep when you are old enough to read it. I'm enclosing with the letter two rings. The first is a toy that I made for you to play with. The second is the ring that I used when your mother and I first married in America. It isn't worth much money, but it's full of love, and now it's yours.
Although we can't be together now, we'll meet again someday, whether I find you, or you find me. And when we meet again, we'll go on walks together like we used to. We'll go to the park and watch the birds, play on the slide if you're still young, sing songs for each other, or just talk and talk, and catch up on the time gone by. And someday I hope you can meet your Grandma and Grandpa before they die, and your Uncle Chris and Aunt Patty.
I love you with all my heart and I always will. If you are ever in need, find me and I will be there for you. I pray that you are the happiest and most fortunate girl, that your share of blessings is countless, and life's small misfortunes flow past you without touching you.
May peace be with you always.
Forever yours,
Papa
(James Hale Bilbro, born December 26th, 1971)
Find me if I can't find you.
For my dearest Maya, my treasure:
I love you more than anything in the world -- more than words can say. My only hope for you is that you will be happy. Since you were taken away I have looked everywhere for you. I have done everything I could to find you, to be there for you, and to be ready for when you need me.
I have tried my best and, for now, there is nothing more that I can do in Japan. So, I'm going to your other country, America. Always remember: you are not 「ハーフ」("half", the Japanese term for a biracial/bicultural individual), you are whole and better than whole. you have two parents, two countries, two languages, and two cultures. Those are yours by right and they always will be. For me, you are the morning star that shines both day and night. And I will love you no matter who or what you become, no matter where you are -- I will always love you. I hope your mother will keep these things for you, read this letter for you, and give it for you to keep when you are old enough to read it. I'm enclosing with the letter two rings. The first is a toy that I made for you to play with. The second is the ring that I used when your mother and I first married in America. It isn't worth much money, but it's full of love, and now it's yours.
Although we can't be together now, we'll meet again someday, whether I find you, or you find me. And when we meet again, we'll go on walks together like we used to. We'll go to the park and watch the birds, play on the slide if you're still young, sing songs for each other, or just talk and talk, and catch up on the time gone by. And someday I hope you can meet your Grandma and Grandpa before they die, and your Uncle Chris and Aunt Patty.
I love you with all my heart and I always will. If you are ever in need, find me and I will be there for you. I pray that you are the happiest and most fortunate girl, that your share of blessings is countless, and life's small misfortunes flow past you without touching you.
May peace be with you always.
Forever yours,
Papa
(James Hale Bilbro, born December 26th, 1971)
Find me if I can't find you.