Japan. Family Photos. Remembrance

[Maiku]

I though I would share a nice news story I just watched on Japanese TV. In the wake of the tsunami that struck northern Japan people are trying to piece their lives back together. It is hard for most everyone because they have nothing. Everything they now have is either borrowed or donated. Very few of their possessions survived the tsunami`s ravages. But, people are trying to put their lives back in order. One thing that is helping is finding family photos in amongst the rubble. Everyday, in one community, citizens go to clean up the debris. They find family photos. They pocket the family photos. When they are finished working, or just want to, the head the a local community center where the photos are put on a table, cleaned and then hung in makeshift paper frames on the wall. The photos are cleaned with gentle care and placed on the wall with a bit of reverence. At any time citizens of the town can walk by and try to find their family photos. Many people have found family photos they break down emotionally because it gives them a warm feeling or a thread of hope or just something that actually belongs to them. I saw wedding photos, kids birthday party photos, kids play day photos etc. It was nice see some positive news after so much negative news.

 

[LKeithR]

Humanity at its best...

 

[Ranchu]

Thank you for that, very touching. Very human, we all would do the same kind of thing, I think. Preserve the people and memories, "Maybe I passed by him one day, or sat beside her on the train. Someone will be looking for this."

 

[Ezzie]

Another fine example of the dignity the Japanese people are ingrained with. Any other culture and there would be looting, rioting and even mugging and murders. But not the Japanese. Their respect for their fellows is genuinely heartwarming. Which is why I have no doubt they will pull through.

 

[jan normandale]

the people of Japan have set a high standard for their ethics for the rest of the world. There is much to be proud of as a nation in this trying time.

Off topic what a wonderful demonstration of the power of a "hard copy" in this world of digital images.