Yesterday I landed in Atlanta with an even greater appreciation of family, friends, and the good ole USA than I did just 12 days ago.  For those of you that don’t know, I flew on March 3^rd to Japan to spend time with my brother and his family, and help out with my new nephew, Pete and his big brother, Chip.

Chip on a morning walk in Hayama

Pete and Big Brother.

The beach, just 100 yards from Rob and Alden's home in Hayama.

Our first week was amazing, spending time as a family, with mornings full of reading stories with Chip, cuddling with Pete, afternoon outings, and great conversations over coffee and home cooked meals.  On the afternoon of March 11, our time in Japan completely changed.

In the midst of the earthquake, tsunami, evacuation, after shocks, and nuclear explosions, I did not have much time to process what was happening and how I was feeling.  We had to be strong for each other and the boys, not allowing ourselves to cry, scream or hide.

Alden and I found ourselves using the phrase, “Too Soon” any time one of us tried to make a light hearted comment about the ordeals we’d faced or if we dared to think we were in the clear on natural disasters.  (The minute we felt a sense of calm, a tremor would remind us that mother nature wasn’t finished just yet.)  At this point, it’s ‘too soon’ for me to write about the last week’s events.  I’m still working through my feelings and emotions, but I do know that I love my family so much, I am greatly fortunate and that there is too much suffering in this world.

While it’s too soon for me to put words on the screen, Alden wrote this lovely post 12 Days, on her blog, Wattsabi. I hope you’ll check it out.  Alden wonderfully articulates the horror of the events, but also the beauty of family, children and the amazing kindness we experienced from the Japanese during a time of chaos, confusion and language barriers.

Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts, prayers, emails and posts.  Your words of concern and encouragement made home not seem so far away.