Safety and Comfort

Gathering my bags to exit the bus, I thanked the driver, wishing her good afternoon. She smiled and said  "It is a good afternoon isn't it." I started to say that if only it were a little warmer, or the sprinkling spatters that kept my umbrella close at hand lessened it would be perfect. She seemed to read my mind,. "No Tsunami" she chided gently. "Its Good, ......."

  That hollow, jagged, feeling of loss for gentle people, Shaken, Jolted, Swept away from their lives, lurched through my heart again.  I have  imagined, not purposefully, but with unbidden thoughts that will not be banished, walking on the road to work at my school, day dreaming about my family, my plans for the day.  Then enduring an event so catastrophic that it would feel like the world as I understand it was at an end.

 Its impossible to know what I would do. The thing is, we are like kids on a giant family bed. It shakes a little on that side, then a little on this side, it will be our turn eventually.
Can we prepare? As much as it is possible, by all reports the people of Japan are as prepared as you can be.

 I remember back to pleasant Summer afternoons spent with our Sister City friends from Iwaki, Japan. They came visiting with middle school students as part of a cultural exchange. So gracious and friendly, so appreciative. The efforts we made to entertain and inform them of the areas charms were dwarfed by their enthusiastic enjoyment of each thing we did.

Those students would be in their twenty's by now. Some of the city officials and teachers retired, but I all ways think of them in the same way. Family members, speaking some common words, learning more every year. learning each others hearts, habits and personalities

If there was something I could do to show that I learned from them, as much as they had from us, I think it would be to exist in moments of safety and comfort intentionally. To appreciate perfect watermelon, kids laughing, a happy day at the Seaside, cool sandals on sale, a paper cup of tea offered with both hands by the friend who made it for you with the best they could offer at the moment.

 This is not to say that they live only in the moment. Obviously, work is work and it always comes first. But when the work is done, I want to shrug off the unappreciative fog of complacency and see safety and comfort for what they are. I want to Be Very Grateful.

 Off the bus, walking toward my destination, in my thoughts I thanked the driver, for the journey she had taken me on.