March 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan’s Pacific coast. It is hard to believe that 10 years have passed. Today, Japanese are, like us in the USA, facing a new wave of hardship in the form of the coronavirus pandemic.
As many of you know, I lived in Japan a long time, and hold a special respect for Japanese people. In some important ways, I came of age while living in Japan. I spent much of my twenties there, and even when I have not lived there, I have thought a lot about what it means to live there.
So March 11 always strikes a deep nerve for me, not unlike how I feel when September 11 comes around. Just the thought of so much suffering causes me great pain.
I was not living in Japan for the earthquake and tsunami, but I dropped what I was doing to find ways to mobilize my community in the San Francisco Bay Area to raise money for relief efforts.
So, I want to take this moment to remember those whose lives were lost or affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and pray for everyone who is still facing hardship today. I hope you will join me.
We all have a ways to go before we overcome, and then heal from, our current tragedy, but it helps to remember that we are in this together.
