It was Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals. So one-sided that I didn’t bother to pay attention to the final score. All I knew is that San Antonio led the series 2-1 over Miami although Miami might have already won the series by the time this blog is published. As I was skimming over, one thing struck me. Tracy McGrady (aka T-Mac) is playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

He is still playing!

The guy had tremendous talent back in the day. Back in the day when he was the scoring champion who carried his team to the playoff. Back in the day when it was the year 2003. A decade ago. Today as I browsed through the article, something bothered me. All of a sudden I felt like time has been moving too fast.

The words that have kept me from going back to the center of Queensland.

I was scheduled to indulge in the wild for several months. I must admit, I was excited at first. After all, this is the first time I will ever grace the “fieldwork” side of my profession. My manager has done a terrific job of getting my energy level and expectations up several weeks before my D-day. I do know that those words were true and that the opportunity to be involved in a state-wide- industry-first endeavor is not to be passed on.

It was exciting.

But then…a phone call.

“Odiyowdi?” she exclaimed. First I thought it was just some random word but then I realized our Ziva is calling me “Daddy”. Then she did it again…and again! Every night from then on, before I was done for the day, a phone call from Maimai and Ziva was the only thing that has kept me from going insane inside this box accommodation they call “Donga”. Ironically enough that it’s the same reason why I wanted to pack my gear up and head straight to the airport before my rotation’s final day. I was on my first week.

“Man up!”, they say.

“But How?”, I answered back.

How can one “man up” to the sweet voice of my little one calling me “Odiyowdi”? She barely lifts up the phone to her ear while on speaker and tries to call out the most beautiful word. There I was in a corner when my wife started to narrate to me how Ziva does it. Apparently, it was not the only word she knew then as she also started mumbling “Omiyowmi” to call out mommy for cuddles.

I knew back then that I had to get back home, quick! I wouldn’t want to miss this for the world. My little one has invented the most beautiful words and I’m going to be beside her while it lasts.