This is a very difficult article to write.
So much grief, so much loss happening all at the same time in Japan.
First the strong earthquake, then the deadly tsunami, now the toxic nuclear radiation threat. Add to these challenges, cold winter temperature, snow and wind! And as if these were not enough, last night, there was another report about another strong earthquake, with magnitude 6 in Shizuoka .
Before Sendai, all earthquake prediction and preparations were focused on Shizuoka. With much prayers and faith, may Shizuoka and other parts of Japan and the rest of the world be spared any more deadly earthquakes, tsunami and other threats!
May Japan as well be spared any more tragedies and disasters from here on. Oh, everyone in Japan deserves so much relief and peace soonest! Dear God, please do hurry and do please bless Japan!
For sure, you have all seen the wrath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that literally wiped out whole towns and anything, anyone that stood in the way of the angry, rushing waters! How can we forget what we repeatedly heard and saw, the wails of fear, of loss, of grief as well as the quiet painful tears and admirable reserve from the victims of these disasters? How can Japan and the rest of the world get over, go beyond this ongoing drama?
Sincere messages and prayers are our first offering of love and concern to all those in Japan. For sure, so many of you and others globally would like to be able to extend more, would like to reach out and help in more meaningful ways.
CNN and other international organizations have set up sites to guide those who wish to help and support those in Japan. Local initiatives within Japan have also been monitored. Perhaps, you can all as well create prayer brigades in your areas and from now on, create and prepare communication and emergency brigades as early as this moment.
Beyond debris and images of destruction, loss and grief, Japan ’s present tragedy has so much precious lessons for everyone all throughout the world.
For one, while our hearts go out to those who lost their lives, let us remember and honor them all by preparing well for future disasters and calamities. One cannot help but admire how early preparation in Japan has limited the number of deaths and loss. Had Japan not prepared earlier, had Japan not been strict about building codes, so much more deaths and losses would have followed.
Despite so much pain, loss, grief and confusion, the Japanese disaster management preparation and system are worth emulating, especially for the order and calm observed among the challenged victims.
Prime Minister Kan aptly compared the present tragedy to World War II devastation of Japan. Sendai was flattened during that war as well. Kobe, by a more recent earthquake.
And that is another gem of hope that Japan continues to share with the rest of the world. Despite tragedies, despite complete destruction and devastation, despite wails, tears, grief and loss, the Japanese people, together rebuilt their nation beyond the war, beyond Kobe, beyond unthinkable challenges.
Japan has risen beyond the destruction caused by war and nature, not just once, not just twice but over and over again. We join the Japanese people today with much prayers, faith and hope that tomorrow will come, that tomorrow, the sun will shine through again, that today’s trials will end, and today’s challenges will be tomorrow’s triumphs.
Let us offer quiet prayers of thanksgiving to and of protection for the heroes who have selflessly remained at the Fukushima nuclear plants, despite threats to themselves and their lives, to try to save more, to try to save Japan. So much heroism amidst so many challenges!
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com