It’s kind of hard to write a normal post when you wake up and find that half of Japan is under water or on fire or dead.
I didn’t want to know about this. I have managed to tune out pretty much any news that matters since the aftermath of 9/11. How many hours did I spend glued to the TV watching people jumping from the top of those buildings? I don’t know if there’s any good that can come from watching that kind of tragedy over and over. I don’t know why we need to see it. Or why we can’t stop looking. I don’t want those images in my brain. But I couldn’t not look.
So when I woke up and heard that Japan had been shaken by an earthquake and then pummeled by a tsunami I did my best to ignore it. I didn’t want to know. But I couldn’t not look when my husband pulled me in to his YouTube surfing and showed me exactly what I was working to avoid. Cars unsuccessfully speeding away from massive waves of water. People narrowly dodging falling buildings. Displaced neighbors huddling up with one another in school gymnasiums.
My heart just breaks for these people whose entire lives have been devastated. If they thought perhaps anything of value might have survived the initial earthquake, then the tsunami, fires, and damaged nuclear power plants have certainly squashed any of those hopes.
I’m not sure anything of “value” even matters other than human lives. It looks like simply surviving is the most you can hope to walk away with at this point.
The fact that I am blessed to live in a home whose walls are still standing, with children sleeping snuggly in their beds, whose only concerns are whether or not we’ll have time to go to Target tomorrow to pick up the next book in the Junie B. series is not lost on me.
We’re not searching for surviving family members. It’s a helpless feeling watching others go through those motions.
I will do my part. I will send in money. I will throw up prayers.
I will empathize and wish there was more I could do.
And I will hope, that should and when our roles ever reverse, people out there will do their part too.
*Photo Credit: AP Photo/Yomiuri Shiimbun, Yasushi Kanno
Michelle says
My husband and I just happened to flip channels to CNN just as the breaking news footage of the earthquake was being broadcast. I was surreal as we tried to figure out what we were watching and then realize that we were watching the tsunamin in real time as it violently and relentlessly destroyed everything in it’s wake.
My husband lived two years in Japan and is aching for the people he knows so well. It is a miracle and a blessing that as of yet we’ve not had to endure such tragedy. You are absolutely right that we must do what we can do now and then have faith that the same will be available to us in our time of need.
dysfunctional mom says
So true and beautifully written. We’re going through some tough times right now but this puts it all into perspective; we are so lucky to have our health, a home, and our lives.
Roo {NiceGirlNotes} says
Absolutely heartbreaking. Thanks for reminding me that I need to do my part, too.
Alicia @MommyDelicious says
This: I’m not sure anything of “value” even matters other than human lives. It looks like simply surviving is the most you can hope to walk away with at this point.
…It is such a tragedy. And we all have to do our part because nothing else matters than human lives.
Well said.
Karen and Gerard says
I was shocked too when I saw the videos and such devastation and feel bad for all those people–the non-survivors and the survivors who probably lost loved ones and who now have to start all over. We just never know when death will take us. So important to trust in Jesus as our Savior to have a wonderful eternity. This is so fresh in my mind because Sunday our lesson was on Jesus’ “trial” and crucifixion. I showed a clip from the JESUS film which is very moving and the boys got the message.
Dianna says
A tragedy of this proportion just helps us realize how very blessed we are.
Nicole @ Moments that Define Life says
This Tsunami has just been devastating and the aftermath is heartbreaking to watch. It definitely feels wrong that we are going about our daily lives as theirs sits in ruins. My heart is breaking for them…..
BalancingMama (Julie) says
It is truly heartbreaking. Not only are the survivors suffering from shock, pain, and loss, they are now realizing that food is scarce. May we all do our part to help however we can. Even a little gesture goes a long way when millions of people take part.
Kayemgi says
You’ve summed up pretty much exactly how I feel. I’ve been trying to avoid the footage as much as possible because 9/11 held me, too, in a kind of dumbfounded spell which kept me watching the towers fall over and over again. I still cry just thinking about that. What happened in Japan is truly a nightmare, and I hope that they can start picking up the pieces as best they can soon.
Janene says
I’ve been trying very hard to ignore the whole situation, too. It has been on my mind constantly since I first saw a video on CNN online and heard about it on Friday morning. I’ve noticed that, since I started having children, I just can’t watch people in that much pain and devastation without my own heart breaking a little bit for them. I remember watching all the 9/11 news coverage but I also remember having the TV off for hours at a time just to avoid seeing anymore pain. I feel selfish because I know that me being sad is NOTHING compared to what so many people in Japan are going through. I will do my part, too! I wish it could be more…
Jen C. says
Thanks for talking about this difficult subject on your blog, especially since you have such a large following. I wish I could tune it out as easily as many people outside of Japan can but it’s the only thing that is on tv here in Tokyo. Even when I try to escape having to watch tv by reading blogs like I normally do, I just can’t put my heart into it. Even if we try to pretend that everything is normal, the air is very heavy wherever we go. The realities of this tragedy is everywhere and it’s really hard not to want to cry over all the things that’s going on. It makes me glad to hear that so many people want to help Japan in any way they can.
Angel says
I don’t think anyone with a heart could ignore that news. I cried at all the pictures and videos, my heart breaking for those who were gone in an instant. Shocked at the raw power of nature at it’s worst and my realization that no one and nothing is forever but love.. love, faith hope charity and of course if you don’t have love you can’t possibly understand the other 3
Scary Mommy says
I can’t even muster up an intelligent comment. It’s just unthinkable.
Only You says
Thank you so much for writing this. I cannot tell you what it means to me.
My Japanese husband and I just moved from Japan to the US two years ago (I’m American and had lived there for almost 10 years) in order to raise our little boy here. The last few days have been spent trying to reach family and friends. I’ve been heartbroken for many tragedies in the past, but I can’t begin to describe what it’s like to get first hand accounts of what friends have been going through, especially those friends who have children.
One very sad thing to emerge out of all of this is the meanness of some people, who are still remembering Pearl Harbor and believing that the Japanese deserved this. I lived in Japan for almost 10 years and it is from personal experience that I can say how amazingly genuine and good-hearted the Japanese people are. I appreciate so much the sincerity of your post. Thank you for writing it.
Tori Nelson says
Oh man. There is so much hurt in that one photograph. We are throwing up prayers with you and hoping the people of Japan can feel some comfort in knowing how much they are loved.
Jennifer says
I’m like you. Since Friday morning I’ve avoided any station that might inadvertently post some type of news, and any website with headline news stories. Sometimes I feel like I just can’t be sad anymore. I’m not sure if that makes me a bad person, but it does make me a person that knows my limits. I’m sure one day I’ll sit down and take it all in and cry and mourn for them, but I just can’t do that today.
Stephanie I. says
Awesome post…very eloquent.
Tonya says
Thank you for this. This is a beautiful post and the photo you selected is so heartbreaking and sums up my feelings about this entire event. I can’t even imagine.
Angie @ Mama Insomnia says
So true. I always feel like I should write about this momentous events but then I can’t find a way to put the tragedy into words. You did a very good job!
Rachael says
It is hard to think about the fact that soon the news footage will end and people will “forget” just as they/we have with other disasters. We will go on with our day to day lives but the people of Japan will be affected by this for the rest of their lives. It breaks my heart.
Kara says
I’m with you…
Felt a bit trite when looking back at a few of my posts over the weekend.
Maybe an attempt at distraction.
But–this morning it hit me again.
And it’s difficult to think about much else…
jane@flightplatformliving says
God thats so true! i haven’t watched news since my daughter got diagnosed with smith magenis syndrome in oct 2008! it felt like my heart had broken and couldnt take any more bad news! today my 12 month old smashed his tooth and i found myself sat in the dentists waiting for an emergency appointment, panicked and worried and on the big screen in the waiting room was coverage of this! i found myself garbelling rubbish at a bemused guy next to me and watching in horror! my heart breaks for all affected, for all mothers, fathers, kiddies! too awful and too real. thanks for the post you read my heart today! x
camesha says
couldn’t have said it better myself.
Los says
I wanted to ignore this as well … sometimes it’s easier that way … but that doesn’t mean it’s better … after all, we’re human, right?
Jen says
My heart just breaks for those poor people.
kisatrtle says
praying for everyone involved in that devastation.
Kindred Adventures says
I read you post this morning and it really rang true to me because I completely agree with you and everything you say. My husband loves to watch the news. I on the other hand am happy to stay informed, but really do not want to watch things that are going to make me feel so unhappy. We (I) am very lucky and I know that everyday! I appreciate it, embrace it and am truly thankful for it. Great post! -Laverne
Ciera says
These kinds of events throw everyone for a loop… First the terrorism, then Haiti, now Japan… It’s been a strange couple of years..
Kristy says
It is heartbreaking. Things like this make you realize just how alike we all really are when it comes to yearning for your loved ones.
Grams says
This is the best post I’ve read on this topic. You did a beautiful job of expressing the overwhelming feelings.
Robin says
I have to agree with you. It has been hard watching the videos on TV. I want to help out and will. But, do we really need to see these videos over and over again? It all brings me to my knees in prayer.
Kate says
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking all week now.