I had no sooner posted my gentle observations about the overnight snowfall, then Mark got up and turned on the news.
You know the rest of that story.
This is how modern technology connects us all together, just like the natural disasters on this planet tie us all together. The earthquake in Japan has the potential to devastate lives in Hawaii with a tsunami, and here in the midwest, we can do no more than watch, wait and hope for the best possible outcome.
My peaceful thoughts of the morning have turned on a dime.
We were in Japan briefly in 2004. The company where Mark worked, Procter and Gamble, wanted him to relocate there for two years. We took our two youngest children who were still living at home at the time to look at schools, houses and the possibility of moving ourselves there. We did not relocate and that eventually led to Mark’s early retirement and my early morning panic attacks.
Mark had traveled several times to Japan through the course of his working at P&G. One time he was stuck on a stopped subway train. He was impressed by the quiet, calm aplomb with which the Japanese natives, who all remained seated and silent, reacted to this major inconvenience. That would never happen in America.
We were in Hawaii last month, on the island of Kauai. Never have I been on a trip where the people were kinder or more friendly. It truly felt like the people live a vacation there. The magical land of Hanalei is on the north side of Kauai, in jeopardy of getting hit hard by the tsunami that they know is on the way.
I’ll watch and wait and hope.
Christine M. Grote 
We’ll wait and hope with you.
I heard about it when I got online this morning. It certainly is the sort of thing that puts a lot into perspective. All we can do is wait and hope.
I’m praying for everyone in Japan and all who are in the path of the tsunamis.
It’s been a challenging day for so much of the world.
Peace.
I left a comment on your other post. Yes, things change quickly. One never knows what to expect when they wake up the next morning or walk out their door for the day.
Thanks for this gentle reminder. One of my daughters called me at 1:00 am in a panic knowing my son, her brother is in the Philippines right now. We couldn’t remember when his girlfriend was going to Japan to visit her friend. My heart sake when I turned the news about Japan. Thankfully, they are safe but my heart breaks for those who have lost friends and family. My prayers are with them.
Yes. The people in Japan on the other side of this planet, are a whole day away by flight, but it’s amazing how their trauma can touch our hearts.
The pictures on the television were surreal.
I don’t think my mind can process that huge amount of pain and suffering. Thanks for the post.
I just posted “tsunamis, on maui” on my blog. They are certainly a force with which to be reckoned. Watching videos of Japan brought back memories of my childhood experiences with that natural disaster.
Glad you liked Kauai. I was born on Maui, but don’t get back to the islands as often as I’d like. My husband and I usually spend his vacation days visiting my daughter on the east coast. But when we’re able to visit relatives in Hawaii, actually on Oahu, we’d also like to make a side trip to Kauai. Thanks for reminding me of its beauty.
am praying for japan and its people…hugmamma.