[Amidst the tragedy of the quake, tsunami and the subsequent nuclear plant explosions, the narrative of hope can often get lost. Below is an excerpt of some truly heart warming moments of oneness that unfolded in the aftermath of the tragic Tsunami.]
You can see my full note here.
Below are the some of the heart warming anecdotes that I have witnessed and heard from others ...
Someone overseas called me on my cell. She said she wanted to connect to anyone who is in Japan, and so she called the country code and their own mobile number, which happened to be the same as mine. I didn't fully understand everything she said, because it was English, but I knew enough to know that she really wanted to support the Japanese people. It really gave me so much hope.
Last night when I was walking home (since all traffic had stopped), I saw an old lady at a bakery shop. It was totally past their closing time, but she was giving out free bread. Even at times like this, people were trying to find what they can do and it made my heart warm.
In the supermarket, where items of all the shelves fell, people were picking up things so neatly together, and then quietly stand in line to buy food. Instead of creating panic and buying as much as needed, they bought as little as they needed. I was proud to be a Japanese.
When I was walking home, for 4 hours, there was a lady holding a sign that said, "Please use our toilet." They were opening their house for people to go to the restroom. It was hard not to tear up, when I saw the warmth of people.
At Disneyland, they were giving out candies. High school girls were taking so many so I was thinking, "What???" But then the next minute, they ran to the children in the evacuation place and handed it to them. That was a sweet gesture.
My co-worker wanted to help somehow, even if it was just to one person. So he wrote a sign: "If you're okay with motor cycle, I will drive you to your house." He stood in the cold with that sign. And then I saw him take one gentleman home, all the way to Tokorozawa! I was so moved. I felt like I wanted to help others too.
A high school boy was saved because he climbed up on top of the roof of a department store during the flood. The flood came so suddenly, that he just saw people below him, trying to frantically climb up the roof and being taken by the flood. To help others, he kept filming them so their loved ones could see. He still hasn't been able to reach his own parents but he says, "Its nobody's fault. There is no one to blame. We have to stay strong."
There is a lack of gas now and many gasoline stations are either closed or haave very loooong lines. I got worried, since I was behind 15 cars. Finally, when it was my turn, the man smiled and said, "Because of this situation, we are only giving $30 worth gas per each person. Is that alright?" "Of course its alright. I'm just glad that we are all able to share," I said. His smile gave me so much relief.
I saw a little boy thanking a public transit employee, saying, "Thank you so much for trying hard to run the train last night." It brought tears to the employee's eyes, and mine.
A foreign friend told me that she was shocked to see a looong queue form so neatly behind one public phone. Everyone waited so patiently to use the phone even though everyone must have been so eager to call their families.
The traffic was horrible!! Only one car can move forward at green light. But everyone was driving so calmly. During the 10 hour drive (which would only take 30 minutes normally) the only horns I heard was a horn of thank you. It was a fearful time -- but then again a time of warmth and it made me love Japan more.
When I was waiting at the platform, so tired and exhausted, a homeless person came to us and gave us a cardboard to sit on. Even though we usually ignore them in our daily life, they were ready to serve us.
Suntory (a juice company) is giving out free drinks, phone companies are creating more wi-fi spots, 1,000,000 noodles were given by a food company, and everyone is trying to help the best way they can. We, too, have to stand up and do our best.
Whenever there is a black out, people are working hard to fix it. Whenever the water stops, there are people working to fix that too. And when there is problem with nuclear energy, there are people trying to fix that too. It doesn't just fix itself. While we are waiting to regain the heat in the cool temperature or have running water, there were people risking their life to fix it for us.
An old woman said, on a train: "Blackouts are no problem for me. I am used to saving electricity for this country, and turning off lights. At least, this time we don't have bombs flying over our heads. I'm willing to happy to shut off my electricity!" Everyone around couldn't say a word in response.
When I grow older, I am going to tell my children and grandchildren, "When your grandma was young, there was a big earth quake in Japan which brought the world to one. And everyone worked so hard to help support each other and everyone was shining. To be able to tell that story, I'm going to work hard in rebuilding that work.
In one area, when the electricity returned, peopel rejoiced. And then someone yelled: "We got electricity because someone else probably conserved theirs! Thank you so much to EVERYONE who saved electricity for us. Thank you everyone!"
In Korea, a Japanese man got a cab ride and when it was time to pay, the driver refused and said: "You are Japanese, yes?" Yes. "When you go back to Japan, please donate the fee." Beyond nationality or politics, we are all the same.
My 10-year-old son, with tears in his eyes, handed his piggy bank to me, saying: "I don’t care if I cant buy my comic books, I want to save japan!!"
I told my parents, who are living at the evacuation center, to come to Chiba where I live. And they got mad at me. My Dad said, "There are people who sustained far more damage than us, and they are not leaving. We certainly can't leave! I will come to your place when we finish reconstruction here. So you do what you can from where you are."
I saw a man at the evacuation center crying when people brought food to him. It was the first time in 3 days that the food was brought to their center. But his next words surprised me. "I am very grateful that we are provided with food. But, but, the city next to us they are not receiving any food at all. Please go to that center as well."
An old man at the evacuation shelter said, "What's going to happen now?" And then a young high school boy sitting next to him said, "Don’t worry! When we grow up, we will promise to fix it back!" While saying this, he was rubbing the old man's back. And when I was listening to that conversation, I felt hope. There is a bright future, on the other side of this crisis.
6835 Reads
- Posted by Yuka
- Mar 24, 2011
- Comments (11)
Readers Comments
Ollie wrote: The japanese people have an amazing spirit. Peace , love and joy to all.
Sajha wrote: Oh, what beautiful stories about people from all walks of life working to help the japanese people. Thanks to all who shared. My heart is full.
salwa wrote: In hard times all the hearts beat together. Ourhearts beat for you.
AnnieJ wrote: Such touching, spontaneous acts of kindness. It really brings tears to my eyes -it's beautiful how humanity can come together in times of trouble!
Debra wrote: Thank you for the touching stories of the japanese people. I had heard on the news how the people were not looting and being angry and each other but showing kindness to everyone they met. The japanese have been a witness to this world on how to treat family, neighbors, and strangers at anytime let alone a crisis.
joy wrote: Thanks for sharing this with us. These stories are so touching.
mohit dabral wrote: These qualities helping others, peace lovers and unity,and standing together makes them different from rest of the world. And this is the only answer to the rapid development of japan.
Earlier ,when the atom bombs attack japan they do the same thing and recover from it in just a few years. And i am surre that japan would recover from it quickly and salute to the countrymens and trust that whole world is with you. Although i am a citizen of india but how much respect i have for this country and countrymens i cant explain it in words
At last i would like to say "go japan go" the whole world is with you
Earlier ,when the atom bombs attack japan they do the same thing and recover from it in just a few years. And i am surre that japan would recover from it quickly and salute to the countrymens and trust that whole world is with you. Although i am a citizen of india but how much respect i have for this country and countrymens i cant explain it in words
At last i would like to say "go japan go" the whole world is with you
kate wrote: Such amazing stories, brings tears to my eyes. The true human spirit is shown when tragedy strikes, and brothers and sisters of all nationalities can unite arm in arm. Truly beautiful.
Martin wrote: Full respect from england. Japanese hearts are very pure, although this is your time of great need, i think you can teach the world the undeniable truth that we are all one entity
Janel wrote: The japanese people are living the faith, not just preaching it. As in "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". So proud of the way they have endured such a hardship with incredible dignity and poise.
