Thinking of Fukushima and Japan on this 3/11 Memorial Day

Today is 3/11/15

It's been four years since I realized I didn't think I could keep living in Japan, 

after 25 years of having called there "home". 

 Ever since I was 17 and fifty miles from the nuclear accident in Pennsylvania in 1979... I have understood how awful, scary, dangerous and wrong it's been to keep nuking power plants operating.
How ironic... six months to the day of 9/11, but so many people don't remember 3/11.

This morning I was looking through many photos I have of Japan...

 This is Taka's family in Okazaki, where his father still lives.

 At Taka's mother's grave, in Okazaki.




















 Where I called home for 11 of my years in Nishio... where Motohiko and I started my English school, with Ischin and Naomi, from 1986.
 (the artist needed to take an english spelling class!)

Japan... such the special place. And still today too.

Where, these little heaters... crazy little warm machines were what we used for our uninsulated homes

 (yes, and that's #3 Sheon, grown up!)

Zen-kun... because he has been so dedicated... through four years of High School playing Varsity basketball, and finally finished four years at College Basketball. Thanks to that game and Zen, we began living in the States again, from '07. Though I hadn't planned to stay.

Then... more family came to live in California.
Where we know radiation comes too. But as Sheon says: "We can't keep running away" (Well, we remember Bob for saying that too!)

But Japan. 

In our hearts, in our prayers, in spirit, and love for you!

How amazingly, inspiringly, you carry on.

Thank you for the incredible life you give us.