I wasn’t going to write anything for the anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that struck Japan exactly two years ago. But then I realized that It’s important to write and talk about it. If for no other reason than to make sure those who are still building their lives back up are not forgotten. It is not over for many people. As I read the tweets from friends still in Japan and articles writing about both the progress and remaining work to be done in the hardest hit areas, I find myself still fighting back the tears.
Words are difficult to come by and I don’t think I will be able to fully explain how that experience changed me. All I know is that life is strange and scary and wonderful and too short. These are lessons we have all learned in one way or another but somehow seem to forget all too soon. I hope that all of the horrible things that happened and the lives that were lost on March 11, 2011 at least taught us that we cannot be too kind to one another. We cannot say “I love you” enough. We cannot give enough hugs and kisses. And we cannot know when it will all be taken away.
The earthquake taught me those things and I pray I don’t forget. We were lucky that day but many were not. Many are still out there somewhere, lost and drifting. But not forgotten.
