Morning, I had a sweet dream last night on Mother’s Day.

On the more than beautiful Sunday, I called my mom and grandmas on different sides, moreover, eventually reunited with my Indo mom Duwi who I have been thinking of for weeks via communication app.

Looking back three weeks ago when I decided to put the idea into practice, I still feel more than incredible. During those times, I was noticeably anxious.

Even though the news about COVID-19 spreading got me into panic, I was still hesitating to take this step. No the assurance was given that the post would be seen, that my text can be translated into Indonesian properly, that there’s a chance for the information to be shared, that I could handle my exams well simultaneously… Yet deep in my heart was a hidden fear, would the epidemic wait for me?

Therefore, I considered the question, which I always ask myself when hesitate, “will there be any regrets if I quit?” “If I just stop looking for Duwi, will I hold any regret in the rest of my life?”

“Definitely!” the voice in my mind responded loudly without any delay.

So I acted. I dared not to wait until everything becomes too late, only to find I didn't even work for it. Started by writing the article with daily fragmented commuting time. Made up of plenty of little progress which cumulatively adds up to the article, Friend Missing-Teddy Bear was finished. Anxiously, I posted the article on my social platforms, appealing to my friends for sharing the information so genuinely, as if calling out the entire interpersonal resources I have built in the past 19 years.

Some times later, with help from a friend, the article was successfully translated into the Indonesian version and published. I counted the numbers of sharing every day, only to find the growth become slower and slower. Finally the number rested on tens and hundreds, disappearing in thousands of posts on the internet.

“It’s not going to work,” I thought “time for a breakthrough”.

So I recalled something mentioned by my geography teacher, the Brilliant Time Bookstore, an independent bookstore specifically for migrant workers from Southeast Asia. Coincidentally, I met one of the founders Yun-Chan in an intra-school lecture last semester. I plucked up the courage to messenger her, asking if it is possible for me to promote by posting the article in the bookstore in either physical or mobile channel so that the story may be spread among and through the immigration worker community.

Having the ins and outs, Yun-Chan quickly responded to me and helped with promotion. She also asked me if the announcement could be developed into a more comprehensive article, so as to enhance publicity. Hence I picked up my pens again that night, try to bring myself back to 15 years ago, and ultimately finished during weeping. 

As the manuscript was sent without obstacle, I returned to my exam-fighter routine. Nothing seemed different, but I started to check my post every single day before sleeping. Noticed how many people were moved by our story even proactively shared with Indonesian associations and their personal pages, those days were ended with great appreciation.

I pray to my heavenly father for a peaceful heart, keeping me still even in the chaos. Standing firm in faith, waiting with patience, miracles may happen one day.

Through online channels, the pace of spreading was much faster than I expected. A week after the article was published, through reporters in CAN, I reached a correspondent in Indonesia and local news channels. They heard of my story and were willing to participate in the action looking for Duwi.

I was so moved that I could hardly utter a word. Without any hesitation, I contacted the journalist and did a text interview in English. Yet, owing to language limitation, some words were lost in translation, leading to semantic misunderstandings in post-editing.

As a result, the article was not that noticeable when first published. Some people even commented below the news, "Bro, I don’t know, it feels fake. (GOOGLE Translate)"

I was like, “OH MY MAMA, am I going to lose her forever?” It was so frustrating that I nearly had a breakdown, thinking of all the kindness I received from the past few weeks, “are all these going to be null and void?” The distance between Duwi and I seemed so short, but so far away at the same time.

That night (2020/5/9), I contacted the reporter again to correct some missing parts with photos and quotations. Then, something unexpected occurred - local online media across Indonesia began to notice this and reproduce news. Furthermore, the local community was also attracted, people started to forward the article, hoping Duwi will see the news of me looking for her. 

Early in the morning of Mother's Day (2020/5/10), I felt weirdly tired without a reason, but still managed to dress up and went for tutoring. During the break time, I noticed several messages from an unknown number. They were sent by the Indonesian reporter! Someone seemed Duwi’s relative left a comment under the report, saying that Duwi was also looking for me, even posted a photo for me to recognize her. Unfortunately, the photo is too blurry to tell. Despite the reality that  I couldn’t confirm that is Duwi then, the news made my heart racing. I was eager to rush home and contact whoever that is right at that moment.

I waited until the end of the tutor session, though. When I was finally off from school, I checked the inbox once again and found a new message.

“Hi girl, is this woman who you are looking for?”

The lady who sent the message was a new immigrant in Taiwan, who used to work for an agency and she happened to be the sister of Duwi's neighbor. Seeing the article online through her friend, she felt strongly related to the story and decided to be the bridge between us. After endlessly searching for my information, we finally got in touch that morning.

She sent me two photos, one was too blurry, but the other one was taken in our old house. Inside the photo, there were my mom, grandmother, and me with the teddy bear in my arms – held by Duwi!

The very instant I saw the picture, I burst into tears. It’s Duwi, it’s definitely Duwi!

God, I kept praying in my heart and rushed to the ground floor as fast as I could. Huffing and puffing, I went straight to the subway station and immediately downloaded the communication software, trying to hear from her on my way home.

: “Duwi! Do you remember me? This is Tiffany…”

Soon there was a reply from the other side, “Hallo....meimei (pronunciation of little girl in Chinses)....ma....”

Upon hearing her voice, I could not help sobbing on the MRT (apologies to people nearby, I am very healthy, hope I did not cause any panic). I sent her a picture of me and my two brothers when we were all little, and she called our names one by one. Duwi remembers all of us, and I truly found her.

Soon after I got back home, I could no longer wait and told one of my brothers we have found Duwi. But I was crying so heavily that every word uttered was like mumbling, leaving my brother confused. A few moments later, my emotion was more or less eased, he had the whole situation and told me to calm down, or Duwi cannot understand whatever I say to her. 

Whimpering, but I still managed to set up the video call. I entered my room, taking the teddy bear Duwi gave me, and, I pressed the call button, waiting for Duwi to pick up at any time… 

: "Ah-my girl, you chubby. I miss you." It was soon picked up, Duwi showed up with a big smile on her face, blowing kisses to the camera.

: "OH MY GOD ..." I once again burst into tears and stuck every word in my throat. I couldn’t believe what was happened, it’s not a dream, Duwi was talking to me, in front of my eyes ...

We shared with each other how have our lives been in recent times, where have all our relatives been, and whether or not the local epidemic has been under control.

: "My girl, I have a bear as well." Duwi said.

Perhaps my memories sever me wrong as I was so little when parting with Duwi, I can hardly remember a thing regarding the bear. "You gave me a bear when I left. You said it is a remembrance lest I miss you." she continued as her voice cracking due to sobbing.

The memory was slowly brought back with Duwi ’s words. Oh yeah, I did give her that bear. I was afraid that Duwi would think of me sometimes but we would never meet again, so I gave her a bear. In this way, when she thinks of me, she can hold that teddy bear, just like how I held mine when I miss her.

We talked on the video call for several hours. Before hanging up, I said, "Duwi, let's take a picture with the bears together!" She agreed.
After fifteen years of parting, I finally had the second photo of me and her. On the other hand, Duwi has a lot of photos of me, and she stored them carefully in an album before she left for Indonesia.

We made a promise that after the epidemic, my family and I are going to visit her and her family in Solo, having a lot of Southeast Asian delicacy together. We will learn more about her hometown, having fun together, just as how she used to take me everywhere.

Recall how the whole event has processed, I know this is nothing but a miracle. After all, who expects that we can meet again with all the obstacles. There were too many variables involved, whether both Duwi and I are safe and sound, whether Duwi's hometown has the Internet to allow her to see the article, and the total population of Indonesia is 267.7 million, just to name a few.

Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped us during the whole process, my family, my friends, those who shared the articles, those who encouraged me again and again in the comment area, as well as many journalists who never hesitate to help us. Without any single of you, this miracle would not happen, I may not dare to take the first step, not to mention to spread messages across geographic and linguistic boundaries. Without your help in all forms, Duwi and I will not be able to meet again. Genuinely, thank you all very much.

Lastly, I would like to end with the same words as the article contributed to the Brilliant Time Bookstore, summarizing this miraculous event.

Never stepped out the first step, we knew nothing that daydreams may also come true. 

It has been fifteen years and the idea of reunion was once deemed like looking for a needle in the haystack, but eventually turned out to be a miracle of fishing of man. She saw my post, all the amazing coincidences are so realistic, we still cherish the company - even existence - of each other, and be able to create our stories hand in hand.

Please remember to seize every opportunity when there is still time. Tell whom you cherish, "I love you."

So again, thank all serendipity, thank all who offer assistance throughout the process. May you be well, may we never miss those important people.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:8)

An Open Letter: Friend Missing-Teddy Bear

It was about my one-year-old birthday when I first met Dwi. At that time, my parents were so busy that they decided to employ a nanny for the three children.

For a memorable period, every day I began my days by seeing Dwi. She used to carry me to the chair, let me put the milk powder before she added boiled water, braid my hair, take me to the park, secretly buy me the jammed marshmallow which my parents never allow me to have too much, even teach me her mother tone and the folk rhymes ... for me, there’s no doubt that her role is more than a nanny, instead, like my second mother. As long as I have Dwi by my side, I feel at ease, more than at ease.

One day she came back from vacation, bringing me a teddy bear as my four-year-old birthday present. Under extreme happiness, I held the bear jumping and yelling around, showing my thanks to her in a toddler behavior.

Yet the happiness did not last long. A week later, I woke up in a really unusual scene. My parents were at home, but Dwi was missing... (Click here to read the full article)

Translated by Eunice Huang
Uploaded by Judy Lu

Opinion@CommonWealth website is a sub-channel of CommonWealth Magazine. Founded in January 2013 with its main focus on social, humanity and policy issues and opinions, Opinion@CommonWealth is dedicated to building a democratic, diverse platform where multi opinions can be presented.

Currently, there are approximately 100 columnists and writers co-contributing on Opinion@CommonWealth to contemplating and exploring Taiwan's future with the Taiwanese society.