This Year's Birthday Gift: Trekking Taiwan with Baba's Lover "Daughter"

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. A traveler of time, in recent years I have returned to my hometown like a migratory bird, spending the winter in Taiwan, which I love and am moved by. Every journey to my life's origin is filled with emotion and infinite love; I come with joy and leave with joy, grateful for the people and things around me that allow me the opportunity to once again embrace the motherland promised to me. Returning to Taiwan every year coincides with my birthday, which I have passed over the years with intention or without, on this day that is special every day. In "a life of true feelings," no matter how chaotic the world may be, every day is beautiful; every day is born anew, either in heart or spirit. Everything flows naturally and perfectly, because life arises from conditions, existing in profound mysteries difficult to fathom. Time resides within years, and years are left to time; flowers bloom and fall in their own season. Living without shame, existence is happy and possesses its own extraordinary meaning. "Love" sings high between heaven and earth, expressing what is held in the heart during the passage of time and years.

During last year's milestone of sixty years of life, I specially wished for a mountain of profound significance: Hehuan Mountain. This year, under the grace of life, an encounter not easily sought, the greatest birthday gift was trekking Taiwan together with Baba's lover "daughter," accompanying me through these beautiful days with familial warmth. Indeed, whether she is Baba's lover or confidante, her connection to her father is deep and profound. Her vacation is also my travel; it is rare and precious to trek and explore my hometown—Taiwan—with such intimacy alongside my daughter. Working in London, she happened to have a holiday, first going to Osaka, Japan for a vacation, then detouring to Taiwan to meet me. Father and daughter rarely traveled alone together and chatted intimately. Five years later, she chose again to visit her father's hometown, which carries its own significance. How brief is life? Cherish every moment of closeness. During the trip, we talked about everything, from worldly matters to words from her heart, revealing true feelings. I thank my daughter for her visit, offering my deepest heartfelt blessings on these meaningful days.