Messages from Japan

A note on the photos in this post: 

I lived in Yamagata, Japan for a couple of years (2006-2008), which is only an hour drive from Sendai. We'd travel by bus to shop in Sendai because it was the biggest city around. Korey and I loved to go to Matsushima, a town on Japan's east coast near Sendai. We'd walk across the red bridges to visit the shrines on the coastal islands there, stroll on the shore, and eat fresh oysters. I haven't seen any pictures of Matsushima after the tsunami. For now, I want to remember the beautiful, joyful moments I spent there.   

Hello again. I took some time away, but now I'm back. This week has been unbelievable. The photos of Japan have taken my breath away time and time again. I keep looking. I can't stop myself. I look away, then look again. I can't believe the destruction wrought by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear instability. Houses gone, towns disappeared, family lost.

I've struggled to keep any kind of positive outlook, but what has helped me most are emailed conversations with my friends in Japan. My friends are safe and their families are safe. Most surprising to me are their positive attitudes. Yes, they are worried, but they are also so glad to be alive and confident that their country will recover.

From my former supervisor Yoriko:

"All the teachers in kitako [North High School] are ok. It was sudden, big earthquake and all the electricity were gone, but now everything is all right."

From my friend Yu:

"Thank you for your message.
It makes me cheer. We will be OK. Japan has been revived many times since disasters."

From my former student Ayumi: 

"We are ok! There weren't got so big damage in Yamagata. I hope a lot of people who live in the disaster area will be good soon."

From my friend Fumiko:

"And after all it's my country and I can't run away or fly away to another country so I think I just do what I can do to help the victims' life and this situation improve. Anyway for now don't worry too much. have to appreciate we have our life!"

Me, Mika, Hiroka, Mika's mom

This last message is from my friend Mika. I tutored her daughter Hiroka for a year. Mika made me feel like part of the family. I heard from her just after the earthquake before the tsunami hit. Her words really lifted my spirits because I saw how strong she remained for Hiroka (now almost 6). 

Mika describes Hiroka's reaction: 

"Hiroka never mind about earthquake. She dances in dark room!"

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I'll leave you with that image.

A little girl dancing in the dark. 

Such joy and hope even among the darkest destruction.

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If you'd like even more hope, watch this video that my friend Kat made. Kat lives in Yamagata now and put together a video about this past week. The students in the video are amazing!