As I write this I am watching the BBC World News, the only English speaking news channel here, and seeing the reports on the eathquake and tsunami in Japan. How horrendous to see the destruction caused by such a massive quake and the repercussions felt so far from the epicenter. It reminds me of just a few weeks ago also watching the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake. In both of these incidences I was in each of these places this last Fall writing my other blog. I clearly remember standing next to the namesake Christchurch tower that is now collapsed and walking through the now devastated downtown just months ago. I immediatley contacted the couple I stayed with to determine if the family was unharmed. Thank God, they are all safe. And Sendai, Japan was the first stop my ship took after the brutally rough crossing from Russia. We broke free of the cold and fog and into the sun and warmth of northeast Japan. I tasted the freshest raw salmon ever in the fish market of Sendai where they now say hundreds to thousands of people may be dead. And in Tokyo we were lectured on all the engineering and safety efficiencies that went into the buildings because of earthquakes. Hopefully, many lives will be saved becasue of this preparedness.
I find it eerie that these monumental and historic disasters have befallen places I have recently visited. I also find myself felling incredibly lucky, or blessed. I want to wrap my arms around the good old midwestern USA becasue the most that ever happens there is a stray tornado, devastating yes, but not usually on a grand scale, or some flooding. As we passed Mt. Vesuvius on the way to Praiano my son casually mentioned it was about 10 years overdue to erupt. Great.
May we all be grateful for our safety at this moment and that of our loved ones. May we never take for granted that security and the peace it offers. And may God have mercy on the people in Japan, bring them the aid and comfort they need and the repose of the souls of the dead.
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