Paper Cranes for Japan

Paper Cranes for Japan a photo by boo * on Flickr.

Well, my origami skills leave a lot to be desired - but my thoughts and prayers are very definitely with Japan. My Japanese friends have all ensured their family are safe, thankfully - but they are still trying to make contact with some friends. Meanwhile, my mum's cousin left Canada following his sister's funeral to visit Japan... we are still trying to make contact with him, his wife and son. It took mum a few days to locate her brother who was holidaying in New Zealand when the Christchurch earthquake struck - and now she's having to worry all over again for a cousin who she grew up with, days after the sudden death of his elder sister, whom mum was extremely close to. And yet, I think we have a valuable lesson to learn from the quiet dignity, even in extreme grief, that the Japanese are showing us all.