Marshallese-Born, Texas-Raised

By Rick Calley*

Sean on his mother’s lap 17 years ago. Photo: Unknown

Sean Calley was born in 1997 on Majuro to parents Belisa Listo and Hemos Kiotak from Namorik. You might have known him as Tarwoj Kiotak if his birth didn’t overwhelm (stress) his parents. They were already caring for a young son, Murphy, and didn’t have a lot. Life can be hard in the islands. When they were asked at the hospital if they would consider putting their child up for adoption, they thought about it, prayed, and agreed.

My wife Marilyn and I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and we dearly wanted to be parents. After 10 years of marriage we had experienced too much poking, prodding, and medical tests and not enough answers. So we came to Majuro to adopt a child. Lina Morris facilitated the adoption and brought us together with Belisa and Hemos. Sean was six days old when he left the islands for a new home in Texas.

The family reunion was emotional. Photo: Hilary Hosia for the Marshall Islands Journal

We were always open about the fact that Sean was adopted. Maybe the concept wasn’t so clear at first, but he understood more as he grew older. Friends accepted Sean as a regular kid and he attended school, played sports (loves baseball), went to church, lived in a nice house in a thriving community, and just went about life as usual. The years passed by quickly. Funny how that happens.

We tried sending Christmas cards several times to the Marshall Islands, but we never knew if they were received. We wanted to return to Majuro and show Sean where he was born, but something always got in the way. Finally in June of this year I found a website (www.infomarshallislands.com) which had a tab called Ask Karen, so I did ask Karen Earnshaw in an email how we might get in touch with Sean’s birth parents on Namdrik. Karen put me in touch with Senator Mattlan Zackhras from Namdrik.
Matt made several inquiries on Namdrik and found Belisa and Hemos. We sent them a letter with
photographs of them and Sean and asked if they would come in Majuro in August. We got Belisa, Hemos and Murphy plane tickets and had a reunion on Majuro just a couple of weeks ago.

Sean was emotional and a bit scared at the thought of meeting his birth parents. It was a big event. Even just arriving on Majuro was culture shock. You see Dallas, Texas, has about 1.5 million people spread out over 385 square miles. Things really are bigger in Texas, big roads, big airports, big homes, big schools, big stores and shopping areas, big restaurants, and lots of big baseball fields. Majuro, on the other hand, has about 30,000 people on an atoll with almost four square miles and he only saw one baseball field. It blew his mind.

Things happened fast when we arrived at the airport and cleared customs. The Reimers shuttle van was waiting for us and this guy walked up to Rick and introduced himself. It was Murphy, Sean’s brother! Wow! What a surprise for all of us. As the shuttle drove off Murphy asked if we wanted to meet “his” parents. Marilyn said sure and Sean got a lump in his throat.

Belisa and Hemos were staying with family close to the airport. The van pulled into the yard and we walked up to the house. Hemos was there with many relatives and then Belisa appeared. It was an emotional meeting; tears were welling up in everybody’s eyes. Sean hugged everybody and was at a loss for words. Marilyn broke out the camera and took pictures. It was awkward and rewarding at the same time.

Over the next few days Sean got to know his birth parents a little better even though they spoke little English and he spoke no Marshallese. We got them a room at Reimers Hotel where we were staying and had most of our meals together. Sean and Murphy got along great. He knew English from school so they could communicate and since he’s only a few years older (Sean’s taller) they bonded strongly. Murphy took Sean to the wellness center a couple of times to lift weights. Murphy also introduced him to many friends and relatives as they took taxis around Majuro and
visited local places.

One morning we all ate breakfast with Matt and Angela Zackhras. Matt had brought us all together and we were able to thank him in person. He had wise words reminding Sean how fortunate he was to be raised by wonderful parents with big hearts and a good lifestyle. Matt also wanted Sean to remember that he is part of a larger community than just the family which raised him. Matt told him to do something good with his life on behalf of all the Marshallese people.

Our trip wasn’t long, but it was memorable. It opened up another dimension in Sean’s life. We hope to keep in touch with the birth family through Murphy. He even has a Facebook page (now that’s something that wasn’t around 17 years ago). Maybe someday Sean will get to meet his other brothers and sisters on Namorik. Until that time comes, may God bless them all.

* This story was first published in the September 4, 2015, issue of The Marshall Islands Journal. 

by yachtseal@hotmail.com