In 1969, I met Donna Reddick in Ottawa, in Geography class. I was new to the school and mistakenly took her seat on my first day. We've been friends ever since. Oh, we can go for a long time without contacting each other, but that doesn't negate the friendship whatsoever. In the 1970s, her father was transferred to Japan and so her family moved there, where she fell in love with the country. After a short time, her father was transferred back to North America, but she never lost her love of Japan. Many years ago, she moved back there, for good.
We haven't corresponded for a while, but when the news started coming out of Japan yesterday about the horrific 8.9 earthquake, my thoughts went to her. I was filled with dread. I emailed her, hoping against hope that she would receive my message.
She did. And she is fine. She writes, "Believe what you're seeing on TV. It is horrendous. I'm fortunate enough to live in Yokohama away from the massive destruction...it could have been here though. It can happen anywhere in this country."
I am so glad my friend is well but so many others are not so fortunate. I must say, at times like these the problems of everyday life seem so petty.
2 comments:
I was wondering if there would be any connections to this disaster. How lucky your friend is to be away from danger, and how lucky to find her.
So lucky to have found your friend amidst such devastation. I can't get the images from my mind. I can't seem to let it go not even for a minute. What can I do... And then the tour bus crash in New York City. Is there no end to the grief...
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