Takuma Asana went home to Japan in 2003 when he was 4 years old but he didn’t forget Bloomingdale and his friends and teachers. Last year he came to visit. Yandra Mordan, one of his teachers recalled his visit:
It was a very special moment when Marilyn came into my classroom that morning and said, “Yandra, there’s a Japanese family visiting the school… and they have your photo! He was in your class.”
Right away, a name came to mind and I asked, “Japanese? Could it be Takuma?” She said, “Come see!” and I went to the door. As soon as I saw him and his parents, I exclaimed, “Oh, Takuma!” Everyone got so happy, and Takuma and I shared a big hug—his parents and sister too.
At first, we communicated using gestures since Takuma doesn’t speak English. After he finished PreK at age 4, his family moved back to Japan. His sister speaks a little English, but that didn’t stop us from connecting through the universal language of emotions. And what we felt in that moment was pure love, joy, and gratitude for being reunited.
Takuma is now 27 years old. I could see in his smile, and in the love shared between him and his family, that nothing about their warmth and connection had changed, even after 23 years.
As a teacher, I thought quickly and used technology to our advantage: I asked them to write in Japanese, translated it to English, and got their email so we can stay connected. Marilyn and I invited them to the upcoming alumni gathering as well but they were flying back to Japan the very next day—they came just for vacation—but they didn’t want to leave without seeing their teacher. That gesture touched me deeply. It’s a moment I will carry in my heart forever.
Takuma graduated from Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan, majoring in space and astronomy. He currently works for Sumitomo Wiring Systems designing electrical components for automobiles. He especially remembers his friends Franklin, Noemi, Crystal, Sergio, Brayan, and Christina. Wonderful that he remembered us and came by!
