A Message and St. Patrick

We, along with all of you I’m certain, have been watching the unfolding story of Japan with horror and sorrow.  Even short of compassion, there is a Hopkins Spring and Fall realization that has to come to us with the stories and images of such an unbelievable and world-changing disaster as this.

We feel a bit of an extra connection through Chaz and the friends she lived with and loved – kind and generous Japanese families, willing to take in students – who are in the path of danger, and through the LDS missionaries – sons just like my Cam and Murph who are living in Japan, serving the people there – and now, suffering with them.

Chaz sent me this yesterday: a wonderful read, a collection of translated tweets coming out of Japan that gives us an insight to the Japanese people – both because of the reports themselves, and through the eyes of the people who saw these things and felt the stories worthy to tell.  Hope, in the midst of unspeakable tragedy.

On Facebook, it seems that there are people who are saying stupid things about how Japan deserved this – because of WWII or whatever asinine other reasons they come up with.  I can understand this from someone whose world was shaken to its foundations by that war, but not from young people now who don’t know a dang thing about the world around them.  It makes us all here want to roar and hit.  But the better part is to pray for the cold and ignorant hearts of people who can take even the grimmest pleasure in the suffering of others.

Tomorrow, some people are organizing a day of blog silence, asking that we donate instead, to help those people – just like us – who have lost everything.  And now it’s SNOWING on them.  I will be joining the silence.  In a few hours, I’ll post my Saint Patrick’s day post – because life is complex, and there has to be joy, even among the sorrows.  But for tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of Japan.  So many tears.

If you wish to donate, but hesitate, not knowing a trustworthy avenue to take to do it, I will tell you that my faith, our church, has a monumental humanitarian program, and has already moved hundreds, maybe tons of relief into the afflicted areas.  I trust this organization with my life.  I have put together toothbrushes and washcloths and dental floss myself for some of the kits we regularly send into troubled areas – but it goes far, far beyond that.  If you would like to donate with us, THIS is the link.  You may read all about it if you like.  Or not.  But it’s a safe place for loving dollars to make a difference.

Our houses still stand.  Our water still runs.  Our lights still work.  Our children are safe.  And we will not soon die of radiation poisoning.