It's been an interesting week for the Plichta fam, and that's an understatement. You've heard of Murphy's law? It's been the adage that has described our recent life (and when I say recent, I mean the last 7 days). But nothing -- absolutely nothing -- in our lives can compare to the tragic events that have happened, and continue to happen, in Japan. I cried watching 9/11 unfold almost 10 years ago. I was affected in quite the same way last Friday as news broke of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunamis rocked the Japanese nation. I watched the tv in horror as images of water and debris created unnatural paths through the land, consuming everything -- farmland, roads, houses, cars... and though too far away to see, most likely people.
Hawaii experienced the scare of a possible tsunami of its own, the direct result of the 8.9 quake. That night our family huddled in our 14th floor hotel room in Waikiki, awaiting the worst, but hoping for the best. We were blessed with the latter -- at least the island of Oahu was.
Even with a lot going on in our personal lives, my thoughts shift often to the people of Japan. My husband has several friends who live in one of the areas hit by the tsunami; he met them when he taught in Japan for 3 years. Though he's lost touch with them over the years, we can only hope they are safe and sound. Many in Hawaii have close ties to Japan whether it be friends, family, or both. This hits so close to home.
There are numerous ways we can assist with the
relief effort. Let's help our friends in Japan in their greatest time of need.
This was taken on the morning the tsunami was expected to hit Hawaii. The trailing red lights are from a Honolulu Police Department helicopter flying away after scanning the waters off Waikiki Beach.
