Japan . . .

It's St. Patrick's Day.  I'm supposed to be thinking of Ireland, shamrocks, green beer, parades, etc., etc.  I can't seem to get in the spirit.  My mind and my heart keeps taking me to the haunting, sad and horrific pictures of Japan. 

I was in my sewing room, which is such disarray that it is hard to create.  So, I decided to do some organizing before starting anything else.  I went through the pile of new fabric I had just purchased and carefully folded each piece in a way it best fits on my shelves of stash.  My stash closet is organized in various piles.  Blacks, whites, florals, Christmas, etc.  I then came upon my stash of Asian fabrics and I immediately had tears in my eyes. 

As I am sitting on the floor of my in-tact and heated home, I think of those whose houses in Japan that are leveled.  Someone in one of those homes may have been doing what I was doing just the day before this disaster.  That someone may no longer be there, or may not have a home. 

I find that the older I get, the more introspective I become.  As I watch the news and see the video of earthquake damage, tsunami damage and now the possibility of a Chernobyl-like disaster, I think of how I may or may not relate to any of those disaster victims.  I think of the people who have perished and the loved ones left behind.  How would I handle such sorrow, or how would I be remembered?

If I had lost so much, would I be as gracious as the Japanese people?  I have not heard one report of looting.  I have had the good fortune to travel to Japan and can tell you first hand that this is a country of people who are kind, gracious and generous.  They are a people who seem to relish in giving.  It shows in the news reports.

So, here's a thought.  When we think of what is going on, not just in Japan, but in other disaster areas, do we think, "I wonder if they had designer clothes?"  "I wonder if they were a size 4?"  "I wonder if they drove a Lexus or Mercedes?"  I know I don't wonder those things.

If I were to perish suddenly, how would I want to be remembered?  Would I want to be remembered for what I had?  I think I would want to be remembered for what I gave.  Because I quilt, I think that I would like to leave a little "piece" of me wherever I can.  Yes, I donate my work to charities.  I've made quilts for victims of the Haiti earthquake, the Linus Project and other things.  It feels good to give. But could I do something more?  What other "pieces" could I leave?

When I was getting ready to go to my office this morning, I grabbed my coat and a green scarf knitted by my friend, Colleen.  This is a piece of her life she has left with me.  Colleen is also a teacher, which I consider to be one of the most noble professions.  Each and every day a teacher like Colleen leaves a piece of herself with each and every one of her students, whether she believes that or not.  We all leave pieces of ourselves.

With each disaster that I see, I feel the need to do something bigger than myself.  I think the challenge is to get more people to do something bigger than themselves.  I don't think it has to be a "change the world" action.  But I think that if we all think of something that leaves a little piece of our self; hopefully a piece of our best self, it can change our world.