Japan

I was born in Japan. My father is Japanese, and was just recently there to attend his father’s funeral. My mother speaks Japanese and lived there for years. My grandmother and uncle still live in Japan.

The news of yesterday’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan has received special attention in our home. My parents—who are here until Monday—and I have been glued to the television and our computers for updates on the situation. My grandma lives in Tokyo, and we were finally able to connect with her via Skype this evening. She told us that she was entertaining some friends at her home when the ground started to shake—not an altogether uncommon experience in Japan. One of her friends remarked half-jokingly that they should seek cover, which they quickly did when the shaking failed to cease. She reported that the next three to four minutes were the most frightening moments of her life.

All things considered, my grandma sounded incredibly composed and strong-willed. She told us that the headmaster of my uncle’s group home had informed her of my uncle’s well-being, and that her home didn’t appear to have any major structural damage. I hope that I have half her inner peace if and when I’m faced with a moment of major crisis.

My thoughts are with the people of Japan in this most difficult time. The intersections of natural disasters and humanity always leave me slack-jawed and heartbroken—those feelings are intensified this time around.