I had a lighter story ready to go for today, but I just couldn't post it. I'm hearing numbers like 10,000 people estimated dead from the earthquake, nuclear reactors at risk of exploding, shortages of food, water, protection from the cold.
We haven't been able to contact my aunt, uncle and cousins since that one very brief phone call that incredibly went through. I imagine they aren't able to stay at their house since my aunt said it showed a lot of cracks in the walls and damage. They were also worried about more aftershocks bringing the house down on them.
Our dear friend in Tokyo who we lovingly call Sam has offered to do everything in his power to help my relatives in Sendai with food, clothing or whatever they need. However, we don't even know where our relatives are now.
Life goes on here in Hawaii. We're going about our everyday activities which I will post tomorrow, but not today. My heart is just too heavy.
POSTSCRIPT:
I just got an e-mail from one of my cousins in Tokyo this morning:
"Yesterday, we received cellphone-mail from Tomoko (Sendai cousin).
Communication lines are not stable.
Tomochan said that her family is fine in car still now, though they cannot use electric nor gas nor water.
We are informed that we cannot personally deliver any goods to Miyagi now. (Many of the roads are closed.)
The thing we can do is donation and economize on electric power."
It was wonderful to hear something. Not knowing and not being able to do anything is just the worst thing!
I can only imagine how heavy your heart must be, Kay. I know how heavy my heart is, yet I don't have relatives in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI think of your mother and how painful it must be for her to see such destruction and loss of life in her homeland.
I am so sorry for this, for the uncertainty, the bad news, the helplessness you must feel. I cried a little bit this morning as I watched the news. I hope you hear from them again soon.
ReplyDeleteReally Kay, it is so hard. Every day a new disaster. Not enough the earthquake and tsunami? Then the aftershocks and atomic plants and even a volcano. Today's news about casualties being found in Miyagi Prefecture was so shocking and heartbreaking. Who can imagine over a thousand bodies being washed ashore? Who can fathom such death and destruction?
ReplyDeleteI sincerely pray that you get some good news very, very soon. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh Kay, it must be very hard to deal with all this uncertainty-HUGS and many, many prayers to you, your family and all the people of Japan. What a horrible disaster.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kay. It's so difficult to know what to say, what to do at a time like this. I am also praying that your family and friends are okay.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see Japan on the news bulletins I am appalled afresh at the scale of the destruction. It is the loss of life that is so heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Hopefully your relatives are at one of the shelters. The Google site or Red Cross may be able to eventually tell you which one. The news shows one of the elementary schools being a main shelter. Surely a school teacher's folks are safe at the school. Aloha, DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI am praying that you hear some good news soon. Many thoughts are with you and so many others who are suffering from this disaster.
ReplyDeleteIt's a time for the world to reach out with love, prayer and relief for the devastated people of that part of Japan...
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Kay! It is so heartbreaking to read/see the horror there. I can only hope that the one good thing to come out of all of this is an awareness of how fragile life is and why we need to treasure each and every minute. Sending big hugs!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I can only imagine... I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteBeen watching the news a lot and the situation in Japan seems to just be getting more uncertain.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy for you and everybody affected by this .
Love you!
I have thought often of your family, last heard from taking refuge in their car. Life will be hard for them, and so many others, and it will never return to 'normal'. Aid is on the way, but it will take time.
ReplyDeleteFeeling sad is certainly appropriate. We don't always need happy and upbeat from you Kay. You can share your real feelings and concerns. I think most of us have had a pall cast over us by this disaster. Tsunami videos keep replaying in my head. We go about our normal daily routines, but there's a new weight on our shoulders, a sense of dread. And most of us do not even have a personal connection.
Kay I've thought a lot about you and your family the last few days. I can hardly bear to watch the news anymore but I do because it's the only way I have to feel connected to the Japanese during this tragic time.
ReplyDeleteYou were the first person I thought of when this tragic news came through Kay. I am relieved to read down your blog and establish that your friends and relatives are safe at the very least. You are right this tragedy is so huge it is hard to even comprehend it's magnitude. Our prayers have been with the Japanese.
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to imagine the worry and frustration you are feeling. My heart goes out to you. I hope you will be in contact with your family soon. I am praying for everyone affected by this horrible tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThose poor people. It is incredibly sad. The Sendai area looked so pleasant and peaceful. But it was an illusion.
ReplyDeleteBest hopes for your relatives and your friend in Tokyo.
I am sure that more than 10,000 have died in this disaster. The magnitude of the pain and suffering is too much to imagine. Prayers for your friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you wouldn't be sad, Kay. It is awful, and it is happening to your family.
ReplyDeleteI went through school with many Japanese-Canadians and I'm sure all of them have relatives in Japan. I've heard, via another friend, that one of our classmates has reported her cousins are safe, but so many people around the world are worrying about friends and family in Japan.
Wishing you and yours the very best possible,
Kay and Dick
How hard not knowing just where you family is. With all the people evacuated, where are they going to live? This is a loss that is too much to grasp.
ReplyDeleteAll of Japan, and your family in particular are in my prayers. I fear rebuilding will be a long process, much longer than the media will wish to keep on the front burner.
Let us know the best way to help.
it is just awful, Kay, why why why
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the helplessness of not being able to provide for your relative's needs must just eat away at you. You and yours are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you heard something! I pray they will be able to travel to your family in Tokyo soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you cannot be sure of your family's safety. Such a terrible burden. I hope you have good news soon.
ReplyDeletehuge numbers, indeed, sad.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing the prayers and love ..
claim awards in my blog if you wish.
I think of those poor people through out the day. What dreary days they must be going through without food or water or electricity. I'm so glad you got a message from your cousin.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read your update. A little bit of communication helps a lot, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how anxious you are, not knowing is the worst. This is such a tragic event and I am praying with everyone else for all the people.
ReplyDelete