The Big Wave

"To live in the presence of death makes us brave and strong," Kino's father replied. "That is why our people never fear death. We have seen it too often and we do not fear it. To die a little later or a little sooner does not matter. But to live bravely, to love life, to see how beautiful the trees and mountains, yes, and even the sea, to enjoy work because it produces food for life—in these things we Japanese are a fortunte people. We love life because we live in danger. We do not fear death because we understand that life and death are necessary to each other."

...The big wave and the sorrow it had brought had changed him forever. Never again would he laugh easily or talk carelessly. He had learned to live with his parents and his brother dead, as Kino's father had said he would, and he did not weep. He thought of them every day and did not feel they were far from him or he from them. Their faces, their voices, the way his father talked and looked, his mother's smile, his brother's laughter, all were with him still and would be forever... He valued deeply everything that was good. Since the big wave had been so cruel, he could not bear cruelty, and he grew into the kindest and most gentle man that Kino had ever seen. Jiya never spoke of his loneliness. He did not want anyone to be sad because of his sadness.

Seemed appropriate today.

The International Red Cross is raising funds to aid the victims.

Peace.