A Long Way Back

Some departures are necessary, and some returns are long overdue. "The Long Way Back" tells the story of a man's journey from a small town in Liberia's Kokoyah District to achieving leadership roles in academics and institutions in Cameroon and the United States of America. Ultimately, his journey leads him back to the place that shaped his early life.
Professor David set out as a young boy and came back as a mature man. In between, he experienced a lifetime filled with accomplishments and responsibilities away from home, while something important remained untouched. It wasn't his ambition that drew him back; it was the gentle encouragement of his children, the longing of his son, the aging of his sister, and the weight of a family legacy that needed honoring.

When he finally walks through the door after forty-three years, his sister greets him with, "Who are you?" His brother celebrates with an enthusiastic, "Long time!" and his favorite niece joyfully calls him "Uncle Jake." These moments bring family bonds back to life, but the connection to his roots still awaits him.

Standing at his father's grave, accepting a traditional gift in his grandfather's village, and walking along the river and plantation with his son, Jonathan faces an important truth that no degree or accomplishment could teach him: the true value of being present with those he loves.

Throughout this personal story, there are deep reflections on family history, living between cultures, and the ongoing struggle between different Liberian identities. "The Long Way Back" is not just a story of what he regrets; it's a thoughtful exploration of repairing family ties, the responsibilities of older generations, and finding completeness by returning to the places that once shaped him. Leaving home built his skills; coming back made him whole again.