I had the opportunity last weekend to visit Annie in college (Taylor University). She was singing in a Mosaic night, which was a dedicated event featuring multicultural music and traditions from the students attending. It was such a beautiful blend of dance, singing, instruments, and sentiment from cultures around the world! I was so moved!

Annie and 3 others who are TCKS in Japan (Third Culture Kids) sang a song that is traditionally sung in Japan at school graduations. I’ve attended enough that just hearing the melody can bring tears to my eyes! Her friend Grace was playing the piano and singing; unfortunately my seat did not allow me to capture her in the video. I thought you may enjoy this experience! The song is called 旅立ちの日, On the Day of Parting Lyrics: KOJIMA, Noboru 　Music: SAKAMOTO, Hiromi

Here are some of the lyrics/translation:

The familiar and nostalgic voices that flash across my mind
The times I shed bitter tears after meaningless quarrels with my friends
The times my friends and I understood each other and shared hugs of joy
All these things are gone now but I hold on to the memories
With courage strengthening my wings, carried off by the wind of hope
To this wide blue yonder, I entrust my dreams.

Now is the time for parting: let’s fly off, believing in the future
Believing in lively young energy
Into this wide blue yonder