I once read a non-fiction story about an American girl living in Japan that began with the sentence, "The Japanese are just like us, and they are nothing like us." After living in Japan for more than ten years, I can completely agree with that statement. For instance, the Japanese wear western style clothing like we do, they worry about their children's manners and futures like we do, and they enjoy many of the same activities that we do - playing baseball, going to the movies, or eating pizza to name a few. On the other hand, men and women often attend events wearing kimono, teach their children three different writing systems and eat rice with fermented beans for breakfast.
When I first came to Japan I wasn't sure if I would last the year living in such a completely foreign environment. But at the end of that year, I found I would not mind staying here indefinitely. Something special lingers in this land - an ancient culture that delights me and confirms that this world is not just a one dimensional place. I find Japan to be captivating, enchanting, humorous and accommodating; however, it can be bewildering, frustrating, and uptight all at the same time.
Despite these conundrums, I have received so much love, laughter, warmth and happiness from my Japanese friends that my heart will be entwined with theirs forever. I can't even begin to tell you how heartbroken I am over the tsunami damage and the nuclear problems this earthquake has caused.
I am stregthened though, by the acts of kindness offered from around the world through relief efforts and donations. When a tragedy of such epic proportions strikes one little corner of our globe, we use it as an opportunity to come together because we are all much more similar than we sometimes think. That said, I want to speak to the Japanese spirit and say 'Ganbate Japan' - chin up- keep moving forward, and you will get through this! I give you my heart, my love and my thanks for all that you have shared with me and all you have taught me.
The tragedy of this year inspired me to scrap some older photos that I had put away. The journaling reads:
The aftermath of 9/11 was difficult no matter where in the world one lived. The happiness seemed to be sucked out of everyone for months. It felt doubly hard to be living in Japan, so far away from family and dealing with the base lock downs. By Sunday we just had to get out of the house so we headed up to the American Embassy in Tokyo.
The minute we rounded the stone wall and the Embassy came into view we felt uplifted. Lining the rise to the Embassy gates were masses of flowers, messages in a myriad of languages, and people praying. People lined up to enter a tent where they could leave notes of support and comfort in large condolence books. Strings of colorful origami cranes hung from the tent symbolizing a wish for recovery.
This outpouring of love from the Japanese people touched our hearts and did much to help us begin our own process of healing.
P.S. If you are still looking for ways to help out, please consider a donation to the Red Cross .
