One of the most interesting ways that I chose to enrich our lives over the years was to homestay foreign students, many of whom came from Japan. Some stayed a few weeks or months, but many others stayed for years and returned whenever they could. I was always relieved when I heard they were travelling away from Japan – although many were amused at my concerns about earthquakes, “this is part of our life in Japan, we are used to it, don’t worry, we’re OK.”, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of a terrible disaster to come. When Taka visited this past December, he asked me what I felt now… this time I felt it stronger than ever, asked him to be very noticing. So, much as I was horrified, I was not surprised at the news of the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown.
This series of events so strongly affected me, that I have been unable to write about it… Like so many others, I needed time to gain some perspective, to see what it could mean. In the meantime, I reached out to as many of my old students as I could to make sure they and their families were OK. It was through this correspondence, that I could begin to see some purpose in this overwhelming disaster. I share two of these communications with you in the hopes that you, too, can gain some perspective and notice also the strength and grace that we are learning from the Japanese people as they begin to put the pieces of their live back together again.
Danielle I dont know why lots of Japanese people have to die by tsunami – I can not think that was inevitable or necessary. But we have to go foward. It’s time. We join forces to overcome this test. From Taka
My family is still alright. My province have lots of effects by tsunami, by nuclear power station. Many people are out of job because of it. We still have caution about nuclear power center in Fukushima ( next province of my house about 200 km.)About earth quake, is getting less compared to before but still we have 4-5 times/ day about magnitude 4-5e specially Fukushima , Ibaraki ( my Province ) . There are still many problem at the affected tsumami area ( North East) . Those people lost house, family and job.etc. They are still looking for lost families and they are thinking about where to live, how to survive . I watch those people comment, they say ” I lost home, husband, but I am all right so, don’t worry about me. I hope I can visit to my son’s family soon. ”It’s very difficult to say to them to ask “help me ! ” or ” Please come and help me”. Because so much damage to their heart and couldn’t ask help because they know they need so much help but nobody fix their life, like before. I hope they are getting better situation and healing soon. Also so our earth.Thank you for mail . Please take care. Taeko