Only one more stage left for Paris-Nice... but I simply can't focus on cycling right now. I know. Crazy. Andy's brother Frank was riding, yet I haven't been able to pay attention to the race for the past 2 days. (Frank withdrew today, too. So even less reason for me to watch.)
It's the damn earthquake.
I really haven't slept much. I've been glued to my TV for 2 days.
I am grateful that all my family and friends are safe in Japan. But hundreds of thousands of people are struggling to survive in this catastrophe.
I was in Kobe when the great earthquake hit my city in 1995. It killed over 6,000 people. My high school turned into a refugee camp. I still remember vividly how the sky was black from the raging fire and how disorienting it was to see the city all burned down. I lived in the area where there was little damage. I was lucky nobody in my family was hurt in the earthquake. But I know some people who lost everything in the disaster. It was a very sad time in my life. And now, by seeing the faces of the people on TV who are affected by this earthquake, all the memories that I tried to forget because they are too sad have come back.
My heart breaks and breaks for those who are affected by this horrible disaster. And, I'm frustrated and wonder what I can do for them. What can I do while I'm here thousands of miles away?
I do have this blog. So I have a voice.
Please help my people by making a $10 donation. Text REDCROSS to 90999.
Thank you.
Mai, even without knowing anyone in Japan, it is heartbreaking so I can only reach out from far away and tell you that I am virtually hugging you. Most of us have bad memories, the ones we need to be able to shut out just to continue functioning, and to have these forced into the open where they need to be examined and reexamined before we can again put them into that holding place in our heart and head is always a challenging time. It is also part of being human and of your innate kindness. My heart is with you.
Posted by: TahiraCreates | 03/12/2011 at 09:36 PM