Relief

 

The phone rang a bit after midnight, Friday morning, waking me from an already sound sleep.  It was Molly, assuring me that she was fine but that there had been a huge earthquake.  Earlier in the week, on Tuesday night as I was getting into bed, I heard news of a 7.4 quake near Tokyo so I jumped up, shot a quick email to Molly..."You ok?'...and within a few moments read, "Yup, ok, just the usual".  This little scene has played out many, many times over her years in Japan, so the phone call was particularly alarming.

She had taken the day off from work and was just preparing to head to the airport for a weekend trip to Beijing to visit her fiancé, on temporary work assignment there, when the earthquake struck.  She said that she couldn't believe that her apartment building was still standing after the long, violent shaking.  After checking around the apartment for damage, her first inclination was to try to get to Narita and over the next hour, we emailed back and forth as she made it to the train station.  However, at that point, it was becoming more apparent that the turmoil was widespread and that she was going nowhere.  She made me laugh relating how she was eliciting many looks from locals as she trotted along with suitcase in hand, as if perhaps she frantically threw a few things in a bag at the first strong tremors and was trying to make some sort of getaway.

By then I had CNN on and watched, as we all did, that terrible looping video of the tsunami crushing the Sendai farmland.  I went down to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and glimpsed several of my kokeshi on the floor of my family room, waiting for me to find another packing box.  I had decided that 35 or so kokeshi standing like little bowling pins on a table in the corner of my living room might be too much of a temptation for a child accompanying home viewers when we list the house for sale in the next week or so.  Kokeshi dolls.  The iconic folk art symbol of Sendai and Miyagi Prefecture.  How ironic.

 

Molly ended up back at her place, scrambling to exchange her ticket and departure location to a closer airport (via Skype and the airline's American phone #).  She called her fiancé at work in China to let him know what was going on.  (He asked, 'What's that noise? It sounds like you're playing the xylophone.' to which she answered, 'Those are the dishes and pots & pans clanging in the kitchen!')  After sleeping overnight in her hallway, the most secure area in the apartment, she was able to get to Beijing mid-day Saturday. 

We're relieved that she's out of Japan for a few days' break from the stress of strong aftershocks and numbing local tv coverage.  However, if you're going to ride out an earthquake, Tokyo is the place to be!  Their building codes are continually updated to provide the best protection against possible earthquake damage.  I took this photo for M, who's in the construction field, during my January visit.  It's a small building going up in Molly's neighborhood...but check out the size of those beams!  They're huge relative to anything of that scale being built elsewhere.

Coincidentally, I had planned a post for Friday about our experience with Keiko Goke at the Tokyo show.  I just couldn't write it...Keiko is from Sendai and I have been sickened watching the coverage of that area on the news.  I checked her blog several times...no updated posts...but this morning I went into the comments on her last post and was able to identify one left by her daughter late Friday.  I couldn't read it but forwarded it to my translator in Japan Beijing.  I am thrilled to report that Keiko is fine, but, understandably, without power.  On a very small, personal level, I am feeling so much better this morning.

Over the last 24 hours, I have been absolutely inundated with email and phone calls(!) from friends and family.  Many, many messages have come from blog friends around the world and it has been so heartening to hear from you all.  My sincere thanks for your outpouring of concern. 

Now it's time to get dressed and resume some normalcy here.  I have a house to sell!  Back in a few days.  Thanks again.  Really.  You're the best.

Comments

[KT]

So, so relieved. Thank you for telling us. I thought of you, and fretted for you all day.

[mnr_t]

Yes. I only lurk, but have been sending prayers and energy!

[Monica]

I thought about your daughter and I'm sooo glad she is safe and sound!

But what a terrible things to have happened.

[blackbird]

Thank you for replying to my email during all of that!

[Schnoobie(susan atwell)]

Thank you for the update on this blogpost. VERY relieved for you.. but so saddened and sympathetic for all of those affected.

[Hillary]

So glad to hear Molly is ok. And must be a relief to have her out of the country for a bit.

[Sujata Shah]

Jan,

I am glad to hear that Molly is okay. It is definitely a good thing that she is out of Japan right now.
People of Japan our in our thoughts and prayers.

[pam]

I was hoping to hear good news about your daughter. phew.

[Mary]

Wonderful news. This is a heartbreaking tragedy and I am so thankful that your Molly is safe.

[Una]

So glad to hear she is well. Take care.

[Kathy Smith]

Thanks, Jan, for the update. I'm still worried for Keiko. Hoping for the best.

[Julie]

So glad to hear that your daughter is okay! I have been thinking of you!

[Redsoxgal]

Jan,it was so good to home yesterday and find your email about Molly! I am so glad to hear the trip did work out.My hearts goes out to all those people who's life changed in an instant yesterday. Hope Molly has a great, very well deserved break.... and you get a nice bite on that house!

[Kris]

It's great to hear Molly is fine. I have worried and prayed for you after seeing the destruction. I'll keep prayers flowing for those affected in Japan!

[Tonya Ricucci]

yah, the buildings not falling down has been really impressive. Glad Molly is okay and got out of town for awhile. Now you need to turn off the news for the next week. Good luck getting more moving stuff done.

[Joanie]

I read your blog and thought of you immediately after I heard of the quake. I am glad that your friend and your daughter are fine. My son and his wife are on Okinawa, Mike is stationed at Kadena. We held our breath until we could Skype him and fortunately, they were safe. My heart goes out to Japan and I am keeping them in my prayers.

[Dixie]

So, so happy to hear that your daughter is safe and sound. I was so relieved to talk to my daughter, Holly, who lives in San Francisco, right after we woke up Friday morning to hear that everything was ok there. So sad to hear about all the devastation and suffering in Japan. Good luck with your home sale.

[susan]

oh jan. all i could do was think of you when i saw the news. i am so thankful that yours are safe. our hearts go out to everyone in japan. it's incredibly difficult to fathom this event at all.
hugs to you all. xo

[Mariko]

Phew! I was concerned (but not worried!) about Molly. I'm glad she made an escape to Beijing. The xylophone comment is hilarious.

[Kristin]

I was checking Keiko's blog after you mentioned her and did the Google translator on the comments. Let's just say, I had an inkling that she was fine, but much was lost in translation. It's nice to know that you had your personal translator figure it out. My best to you as you go about preparing to sell!

[yelena]

Thanks for taking the time , during your already busy life, to let us know that your daughter is ok. Thank goodness .

[mathea]

I've been thinking of you and your daughter all day. So glad to hear that she is safe!

[Liza]

Thanks for the good news, Jan. I had been worrying about Keiko in Sendai. Please keep us updated about Molly and all our quilt friends in Japan.
Liza

[Pat T.]

The joy of knowing your daughter is safe is something all Mother's understand...
Our son lives in Alaska and we were greatly relieved to hear the tsunami had lessened dramatically by the time it reached the US Coast. Our children choose to live in incredibly beautiful places that are geologically active and we must trust they know how to take care of themselves.

[Anita]

It's so good to hear that your daughter and friends are safe and well! Thanks for thinking of us and sending an update! The news photos are just beyond belief.

[jessica]

i was worried but didn't want to add one more worried email to your inbox, thanks for posting and letting us know Molly and keiko goke are ok.

[MaryjoO]

it is wonderful to have "good news" in the midst of all that "is" and that is not good. All I can think about is what people are going through right now while things are still so unsettled. Thanks for a bright spot, for sure.

And ... on another front: you are MOVING again? OMG. I've neglected your blog -- where are you moving to/back to?

[Carla]

Oh, Jan, I am so glad to hear the your daughter is safe. I can only imagine how your heart is breaking for your friends in Japan. Take care to not work too hard on the packing!

[Clare]

Glad she's safe and sound. The beest thing is that she woke you up to tell you, rather than you seeing it on t.v and worrying. So glad about your friend in Sendai too.

Have you read Tanya's blog? scary!

As Ton says. Turn off the t.v.

[gray la gran]

thank you for the update, ... i checked your blog looking for news the other night.

i'm relieved that molly is safe.

[Kathy]

I don't know anyone in Japan except Molly, but only through your blog but I immediately thought of her. I'm so glad that she is alright.

[mimi k]

I was thinking about you this morning- I am so relieved to hear that your daughter is fine.

[Lis]

So relieved to hear Molly has made her escape. I am just in shock as we see more pictures from Japan and the death toll rises (as it will inevitably continue to), all I can do is prayer. You are right though, we have to be as normal as possible.

[Loretta]

I am so relieved to read that your daughter is okay. I have checked in with your blog each day and worried when you didn't update. Blessings to all who have survived and strongest prayers for those who perished.

[happy zombie]

I'm so relieved your Molly is safe, and Keiko too! Thank you for your update - a lot of us have been thinking about you, your family and your friends. Keeping you all and all of Japan in our prayers. XXOO

[Lynn]

I am so glad she is out of Japan!!! The news is very scary with all the reactor news (is it or isn't? will it or won't it??) and when I heard abt all this on Friday I immediately thought of you. My heart breaks for the people of Japan.....

[nanann]

Thanks for the update! When I first heard of the earthquake, yours is the first blog I went to to make sure your family was safe but I didn't want to bother you. Glad to see this.

[Mary Conley]

So glad to know that your Molly is safe!! I have been also thinking of your circle of friends and your visceral connection to Japan. How my heart breaks for that country. What a sickening and horrific sequence of events.
Mary