In the lush greenery of Samoa, we laid my father to rest beside his own grandmother - my great-grandmother. It was a fitting tribute to a man who was adopted as a son by his grandfather and brought honor and respect to his family name. Despite his unconventional upbringing, my father formed a strong bond with his biological mother over the years, a relationship that enriched them both.
His birth may have been seen as a mistake, a source of shame. But his life turned that shame into honor. His deeds and his unwavering integrity brought respect not only to himself but also to our entire lineage. He was a testament to the fact that strength could grow from adversity, that the circumstances of one's birth did not define one's potential for greatness.
Upon returning to our home nestled in the Adelaide Hills, Murray Bridge, I knew it was time to unveil my plans. It was time to secure my family's future. I gathered my siblings for a family meeting, the air tingling with anticipation. My announcement marked the beginning of a new era. I intended to establish a corporation - a multifaceted one that would fund an ambitious project close to my heart.
The project was a foundation I had named AUSPAC VISION - Australian Support for Pacific Islanders: Valuing Inclusion and Special Needs Opportunities Now. AUSPAC VISION would focus on improving the lives of South Pacific Islanders with special needs. Our reach would extend beyond Australia, spreading its influence across the South Pacific and Australasian regions.
AUSPAC VISION would attract individuals from around the world who wished to serve as caregivers. After training in Australia, they would either stay and work in the country or return to their homeland to care for their own communities. Our primary clientele would be individuals not ethnically from Australia.
While planning the foundation's operations, a particular name flashed across my mind. "Ms. Tanaka". She was a Japanese woman with a future full of accolades and achievements. Her intelligence, compassion, and dedication made her the ideal candidate to lead the foundation. I just had to find her.
The foundation was not just about community development and inclusivity. It held a personal significance for my family, specifically for my brother, Flood. In our previous timeline, Flood had given up on completing his degree after our father's death. His academic dreams fell apart, and he found himself tethered to our family, shouldering the responsibilities as Merc's caregiver.
I wanted a different path for him. With AUSPAC VISION in place, Flood could finish his studies. He could graduate, and I could employ him, paying him a salary as Merc's caregiver. I was determined to give him the opportunity he had missed before - a chance to fly without the shackles of familial duty weighing him down.
The foundation was not just about doing good for the world. It was about securing a future for my family - the core of my drive, my reason to strive for a better tomorrow. And with every step I took, I was one step closer to ensuring that my family would have a place in that future.