He is now in Japan,
traveling by bicycle
with children.
The first time I met
Nishikawa-san
was in Melbourne,
at one of his talks,
where I was given
the opportunity
to make small sweets
for the event.
I remember feeling
almost struck by the realization
that someone like him existed.
There was also a part of me
that felt envious.
After the talk,
I clearly felt,
“Ah,
my life is going to change today.”
Later,
while I was still unsure
whether I should return
to Japan or not,
Nishikawa-san reached out to me
and said,
“Yuko-san,
would you be willing to teach
my students in Shinchi
how to make Australian sweets?”
When the earthquake happened,
I had only watched from far away,
unable to do anything.
So to be given an opportunity
four years later
meant so much to me.
Seven children joined
the sweets class.
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