I have watched the videos and read the many reports about the deadly earthquake that hit Japan on Friday. My heart is full of sadness for so much loss and devastation that is still happening there right now, even as I write this.
I hope aid will begin to arrive for the survivors as fast as possible. Right now the number of lives lost is reported at 10,000. I'm guessing it will be more like 50,000 by the time they figure everything out. Even with aid and shelter, there will always be the inner part of these survivors that will never ever forget what happened, but surely wish they could.
Here's a video someone living in Tokyo posted on Facebook. This is the reality of what is happening there. You probably won't see this one on the news.
I live about 75 miles inland from the Oregon coast. We hear it often. It's not a matter of "if" it's a matter of "when" a really big earthquake, like the one that hit Japan, will happen here. Southern California's San Andreas fault and the other faults that criss cross it will do their share of shaking, as well. Again, it's not if, it's when.
So what do you do? My brother says move to Missouri. Sorry, I'm not doing that. My children, my friends, my community is right here for the past 22 years. What do you do? I can feel myself on edge a lot since Friday. It's not just the stress from the last week of the term and preparing for final projects and exams, it's being aware of what happened there will happen here. I believe it is wise for every household to be prepared for emergencies, big emergencies like this. So, I think I'll make up a brochure of information about emergency preparedness and take around to all of my neighbors and encourage them to do what they can to feel safe and be prepared. I'll do what I can to be prepared at home, in my car, or just in general. I hope everyone will take time to realize we are not alone on this planet and remember to help their neighbors when that time comes. I'll post my brochure here in case anyone else might want to do the same for their community.
For now, I'll count my blessings, and be thankful for each and every day and all of the people in my life.
I've been hearing from teachers and media about "the big one" that's going to hit this area, literally, for the past 30 years of my life.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I can't leave- this is my home. If it's my time to die, I'm sure Death can follow a forwarding address anyway! XD
(Isn't Missouri in the Yellowstone caudera??)
I feel so sad for the people of Japan who were affected, and for those of us who will continue to be affected by the fallout for decades to come.