Hi Kids -
We've all been hearing so much about happenings in Japan recently. Much of it is enough to scare even the bravest person. When I was a young girl in Florida, we experienced a couple severe hurricanes; and after my family moved to Maryland, we would hear about more hurricanes that affected friends and relatives (including my oldest sister who remained living there). So, I can sympathize with probably just about every emotion you are feeling.
I learned about the strength of weather and "natural disasters," and I also learned how much I cared about other people because of the sadness I felt when other people were suffering, and the joy and relief I felt when other people heard or found good news. Over and over again, that has helped make me feel okay to cry, smile, worry, and feel relieved. It is the caring about other people that brings us all together and leaves no one behind. We forget about our differences and concentrate on making each other safe and comfortable. Isn't that a wonderful thing? Rescue groups come to help bring medical care, food, and shelter. Many people help set up shelters; rebuild homes and towns; restore order; bring displaced friends, relatives, and even strangers into their own homes until things settle back down; and provide support and compassion to people grieving the loss of loved ones.
Nothing will take away the pain and concern of disasters and tragedies. But we can find comfort in knowing that everyone is doing as much as they can. Sometimes that means not doing or going anywhere so emergency teams can arrive and act more quickly. So never feel helpless. By staying put and being calm, you are providing a quicker recovery for those in need. If there is an activity for helping in which you can participate and you choose to do so, that is also fine. It will likely be made up of other people who have the same concerns and hopes as you.
What I am saying is that it is okay to be feeling whatever you are feeling. Just leave a little room in your thoughts to also consider all the things people are doing to try to keep problems from being worse and that, in our own way, each of us is contributing in a good way both individually and as a part of a big group! In some way, we are all in this together. That deserves a smile.
Written by Maeke Ermarth - March 19, 2011
Copyright © 2011 - Fairfax, VA
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