Japan

I am sick about the disaster in Japan. My heart breaks when I watch the news and see people scrambling to find their loved ones - not knowing who has survived and who hasn't. I cannot fathom going through what they are at this moment. The earthquake was horrible enough as it was - and then the horrific tsunami on top of that... I thought that was the worst of it. But now they're dealing with a nuclear meltdown?? For the love of pete -- make it stop already!

I have always been intrigued by Japan and their culture. When I was in college I waitressed at a sushi / traditional Japanese restaurant. I was the only Caucasian waitress and the little ladies (all Japanese) taught me how to tie my own Obi, speak some Japanese phrases and eat really delicious, but different, food. I loved hearing their stories of their homeland.  I know a lot of people who have lived in Japan for numerous reasons and their stories are fascinating. I now know that I don't have one ounce of desire to ever travel on the subway during rush hour in Tokyo. I'm wayyy too claustrophobic!

Anyway, amid all of the horrific things we see on the news -- there are some lovely stories coming out of Japan right now. Little miracles occurring daily that, of course, the news doesn't focus on in their main reports. So I thought here I'd share links of some of the favorite articles I've read recently about the Japanese. If you want to read the entire article - click on the title. I've linked the title to the web page.


Amid Shortages, a Surplus of Hope

Blurb from article:
"Ten years ago I wrote a novel in which a middle-school student, delivering a speech before Parliament, says: “This country has everything. You can find whatever you want here. The only thing you can’t find is hope.”

One might say the opposite today: evacuation centers are facing serious shortages of food, water and medicine; there are shortages of goods and power in the Tokyo area as well. Our way of life is threatened, and the government and utility companies have not responded adequately.

But for all we’ve lost, hope is in fact one thing we Japanese have regained. The great earthquake and tsunami have robbed us of many lives and resources. But we who were so intoxicated with our own prosperity have once again planted the seed of hope. So I choose to believe."


Last Defense at Troubled Reactors

These 50 nuclear operators who stayed behind at the plant after everyone else was evacuated are true heroes to me. I've been praying for their safety every day. My heart goes out to them and their families who all know that their lives are at total risk right now. How do you say thank you to them?

Blurb: "They breathe through uncomfortable respirators or carry heavy oxygen tanks on their backs. They wear white, full-body jumpsuits with snug-fitting hoods that provide scant protection from the invisible radiation sleeting through their bodies.

They are the faceless 50, the unnamed operators who stayed behind. They have volunteered, or been assigned, to pump seawater on dangerously exposed nuclear fuel, already thought to be partly melting and spewing radioactive material, to prevent full meltdowns that could throw thousands of tons of radioactive dust high into the air and imperil millions of their compatriots.

The workers — and an increasing proportion of soldiers — struggled on Tuesday and Wednesday to keep hundreds of gallons of seawater a minute flowing through temporary fire pumps into the three stricken reactors, Nos. 1, 2 and 3."


Why is There No Looting in Japan?

Pic from The Week: Long lines at 7-11 with Japanese people waiting patiently

Another reason for my love of the Japanese people. Seriously. I love their culture!

Blurb: "The chaos and theft that have followed many earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis have been noticeably absent in the wake of Japan's 8.9-magnitude quake. Instead, people have formed long, orderly lines outside grocery stores, where employees try to fairly distribute limited supplies of food and water."

Japan Miracle Rescues

From Time.com: Japan's 4-month old miracle baby - survive tsunami in her pink bear suit.

This article made everyone I know weep a bit. It's a truly moving account of the many rescues that are occurring (thankfully) and hopefully will continue throughout the week. Here's the blurb:

"They made their way to a pile of debris and carefully removed fragments of wood and slate, shattered glass and rock. And then they saw her: a 4-month-old baby girl in a pink woolen bear suit.
A tidal wave literally swept the baby from her parents' arms when it hit their home on March 11. Afterward, her parents — both of whom survived the disaster — took refuge in their wrecked house, worried that their little girl was dead. Soldiers managed to reunite the baby with her overjoyed father shortly after the rescue."

May God continue to bless everyone in Japan -- especially those working on the nuclear disaster. My heart goes out to the people over there. I hope that there continues to be coverage of the little miracles that are happening over there.

God bless.