Japan

It’s been a difficult thing to watch – all the destruction and loss of life.  It’s been hard to watch people so stricken and so stunned and so without moorings.

One thing that has made me smile through all of this, though, is the help and concern they seem to have for one another.  I saw a picture of a woman being pulled out of her car which had been swept away by the water.  When she came out, one of the people meeting her tousled her hair lovingly and gave her a big hug. 

Another thing is that they are working together, limiting their use of power, sharing their food, doing what they can for each other.  It’s a good lesson for each of us – whether we’re in a crisis or not.

I liked what this quote said about the importance of reaching out to others during time of need:

“The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.”  ~Hubert H. Humphrey

J