A love letter from the other side of the world (for Samuel)
Written by duckrabbitHello Sam,
It’s your birthday and I am on the other side of the world, thinking about you.
This is your first birthday I have missed since you came out fighting for your first breath eleven years ago and changed me forever.
Back then you were an exploding galaxy of potential. You were the big bang in my life. And now you are the bright star in my sky, ever present, calling me home.
Today I walked out past the prawn fisheries, where we have been filming, to the sandy beach where the Tsunami hit this area of Aceh in 2004 (the one you learned about in school).
We had to walk through some bush where we were told a 5 metre python was lurking! I’m not that brave around snakes so I made Mike walk first!
When we arrived at the beach it was such a strange feeling staring out to sea.
In the village where we have been working only five houses were left standing after the huge wave.
Many, many people died.
The last few days I have sat with local fishermen as they shared some of their stories of that dark time, but mostly we have laughed together and that’s a precious thing.
After a few minutes on the beach we spotted some fishermen we hadn’t met and even though we don’t speak the same language we went to say hello and take some pictures. It’s amazing how far a smile can get you here (or anywhere).
I wrote a message for you in the sand and then Mike climbed on one of the fisherman’s shoulders who carried him out into the sea so that he could take the pictures below.
It was a crazy moment. A moment in which, despite the history of the place, I felt so alive.
And that’s my birthday wish for you.
That you too will follow your dreams, wherever they take you, even if it’s to the other side of the world from me.
That you will keep your heart open through the dark times that find us all, so when the light comes flooding back in, you too will know that great feeling of being in love with life.
Just a few days now till I’m home.
We’ll have a party and I’ll make you a late birthday cake.
You are in my heart (always). I miss you (always). You are precious (always).
LOVE
Dad
xxx
Author — duckrabbit
duckrabbit is a production company formed by radio producer/journalist Benjamin Chesterton and photographer David White. We specialize in digital storytelling.
Discussion (2 Comments)
Yeah!
My wee lad William sat with me watching the Japanese earthquake live news feed, awestruck, and aged only 2yrs 10 mths, said:
“Daddy, if you take your chainsaw, and I take some of your big spanners, we can mend the houses for these people. We can can’t we?”
Of course we couldn’t. But wanting to is what matters.
Small people can focus the world around you, for you, in such sharp detail, it’s scary.
happy birthday Sam and to you too dad