All Gone

I can’t stop thinking about the people of Japan.

The earthquake.

The tsunami.

The unbelievable destruction.

All those bodies washing up on the shore.

The sorrow, the fear, the numbness.

It’s like seeing that flower every morning as you step out of your door.

And then one day it’s gone.

Gone for good.

Along with everything else.

What do you do?

What do you do when everything is gone?

I can’t stop thinking about it.

20 thoughts on “All Gone”

  1. It really is devastating Selma. It’s hard to really understand. My heart goes out to all of the families who have lost someone or are waiting to find out.

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  2. It’s hard enough to wrap one’s brain around devastation of this magitude, but we have seen so many of these events in recent years. Last week when I awoke to the news on the radio and heard the reader say “and of course the top news this morning is the events in Japan…” and before I even heard the details I put my arm over my eyes and said “no, not again.”

    It doesn’t seem as if we are becoming numbed to the suffering, but with the recurrence of events like this I pray it won’t happen.

    Praying with you.

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  3. Like you Selma, I try but fail miserably to fathom how one faces such utter devastation, life as they know it has been changed forever. What I am sure of is the resilience of the human spirit. Flowers will grow amidst the rubble and new hope will spring up in tiny shoots. Love will find its way again, and life will go on. Survivors will bear scars on their bodies on on their hearts, but most will find their way. And we will continue to pray for them, that they find the strength and direction to do so.

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  4. Hi LAURI:
    The waiting would kill me.. It must be so hard to fathom what has happened let alone face having to rebuild etc. I feel for all those affected so much.

    Hi JENNIFER:
    It just seems to be one thing after another, doesn’t it? I don’t think we are becoming numbed but I definitely think there is a kind of weariness. And sadness. It does put things into perspective, though – there is no point at all in sweating the small stuff. Glad to be praying with you.

    Hi JOSIE:
    Thank you for saying that. Resilience is a beautiful word at times like these. It has such power. And I also hope and pray that strength and direction abounds.

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  6. Hi Selma,
    It truly is a terrible tragedy what Japan is now going through, and of course my heart and thoughts are with all the people of Japan. All anyone can hope for is that they find more survivors among the rabble that once was a very beautiful Country.

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  8. It is hard to comprehend the extent of this seemingly senseless tragedy. I do hope that the experience can be used to the good of mankind in the future. My heart and prayers go out to all the people affected.

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  9. On the CBC news tonight it was mentioned that in spite of all the destruction in Japan right now, many people are already quietly making plans how best to proceed and get past this tragedy and move forward. They are resilient people. They will carry on. In the meantime, it’s so hard to watch and feel helpless to do much of anything for them. Sending aid of any kind: money, assistance, prayers and good thoughts are all we can do. I hope things start turning arounnd there soon. If this nuclear threat can be contained that will at least lessen the threat and uncertainty a bit. I’m hoping for that most of all.

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  10. Me neither. It’s hard to know how to handle such devastation when you’re on the perimeter. On one hand, this heinous thing has happened that has affected so many people, and will continue to affect the world in unknown ways. On the other hand, many of us still have to keep going like it’s business as usual. Where do the two meet? I keep thinking about what my husband said the other day. He was in California when the earthquake hit and I called after I started to see the tsunami warnings for California. I was worried, but he said, “It happened in Japan.” Like something wayyyyyyyy over there couldn’t affect us here in the States. I understand what he was trying to get across, but it’s such a small world. Events like these touch everyone.

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  11. I can’t stop thinking about it either. For me it echoes back to my parents’ experiences in the Holocaust and things they’ve said about it over the years. I seem to be particularly obsessed with what the effects of the radiation will be on the children. While all the rest is a natural disaster, the radiation part was completely manmade and preventable.

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  14. Yes, it IS a terrible thing. I’ve had a hard time dealing with it – I haven’t blogged about it or even written in my journal yet because I’m still trying to process it. That’s what you’re doing. Processing.

    I hope you’re feeling better. Being sick does NOT help. I know, because I’ve got a sweet combo of strep and flu going on. Brilliant, eh?

    And I wanted to wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. We made green mint chocolate chip cookies and took turns wearing a green wig. We only bought one because we didn’t think anyone but me would wear it – next yr. we’ll know better. 🙂 I was amazed when my 15 yr old said, “I didn’t know we were Irish.” Good heavens – does that girl EVER pay attention? I only make a big deal about it ALL the time! lol!!!

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  16. It has given me so much perspective on life. Life is GOOD. Things may seem hard, no money etc… but they are NOT. I have a house, I have healthy kids, I have a car. In Japan they don’t know if they are breathing in radiation, they don’t all have water, food… they don’t even know where their loved ones are. I have NO problems… and every time I feel stress I pray for Japan.

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  17. I’ve been following the news reports since it happened and I am totally impressed with the Japanese peoples sense of dignity. There are no reports of rioting in the streets as supplies run out, there are no reports of looting or price gouging. It is a shining example of dignity that we do not see anywhere else in the world when there is a disaster. My heart breaks for these people and all they have lost and yet it’s comforting to know that with that spirit they will prevail and they will rebuild. They truly are superior in how they handle disasters and something the rest of the world can learn from.

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  18. It’s something that I can’t even imagine happening here. If it had been this part of India and not Japan, the devastation would have been even worse because we aren’t the least bit prepared for such a disaster. The Japanese are always prepared and I really admire their bravery and calmness throughout this disaster. No looting and chaos; Indians would have robbed their countrymen blindly and even killed just to get a few extra things in all this panic.

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  19. Hi MELEAH:
    It’s horrific, isn’t it? The Japanese people have handled it with such dignity but you can see the sorrow in their faces. Makes me very sad.

    Hi MAGS:
    Oh, I hope so too. Can you imagine being one of the rescuers? It must be such a sad and gruesome job. I feel for them so much.

    Hi GABRIELLE:
    It’s one thing after another and the radiation is a real worry. I hope they contain it soon.

    Hi ADEEYOYO:
    It does seem senseless. I think it has challenged the beliefs of many but it does seem to have highlighted the strength of the human spirit. That is one good thing.

    Hi GERALDINE:
    Oh, me too. The thought of a meltdown is just terrifying. I pray and pray it won’t happen. And yes, the Japanese people will just get on with things and rebuild. That’s the way they are!

    Hi KATE:
    Oh, they sure do touch us all. These events do make us realise how close we all are and how we are all connected. It really is a small world.

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  20. Hi SQUIRREL:
    I have been worrying about the nuclear plant workers too. Their courage is staggering. I can only shake my head in the face of such valour. It is such a rare thing to witness these days. I worry about the effects on the children too. Please God let them be alright.

    Hi GERALDINE:
    I totally missed St. Paddy’s Day. It is inexcusable me being half Irish and all. Thank you for thinking of me. It really means a lot!

    Hi TEX:
    You’re not being callous at all. It is good to remember the other things in life that keep us going. How anyone in your family could not know of your Irish heritage makes me giggle. The cookies sound great.

    And yes, it takes a while to process these things. The things some people have to endure really are horrific. I feel so badly for them right now.

    Hi KATHERINE:
    You are so right. It really does put things into perspective. All the good stuff could be snatched away at any moment so it is important to appreciate it. I am thankful for all that I have and the other stresses and strains I used to go on about seem so irrelevant right now.

    Hi CATHY:
    Right on. I have been blown away by their dignity. Talk about a touch of class. The Japanese have got it right in that regard. The people who queue for my bus in the morning should take a leaf from their book. I don’t mean to joke, but really. Sheesh.

    Hi ROSHAN:
    I hear ya. Their behaviour has been inspirational. It has definitely given me a lot of food for thought.

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