Saturday 12 March 2011

WE ARE SAFE



We are safe. My heart goes out to the many who are not. Aftershocks still shake our home, but we have food and emergency water...as I write the house shudders once again...the power returned late this afternoon and I can contact you and let you know that we are safe.

Yesterday afternoon I was in the studio putting handles on some vessels, when the floor shifted under my feet as if I were riding a train. The house began to rattle and shake, pots began to fall from the shelves and the vibration became a roar. I opened the door and rushed outside, turning back to look at the house as I went. It was swaying, like bamboo in the wind. I turned to see the kiln chimney swing left and right, somehow not collapsing but widening cracks appearing up its length. When the roof tiles came sliding off the roof I began to run; the children were at school.

I ran the seven hundred yards to the primary school, the children were already in the middle of the...the house shakes again as I write...play ground, the teachers herding them to safety. The children are crying and... my god that is another earthquake...it's OK, we thought we might need to get the kids out of their beds...that wasn't an after shock, that was another earthquake...the teachers were trying to contact people on their mobiles but there was no service. I can see Canaan and Rohan, they are safe. The ground is still moving like a raft, the teachers tell me parts of the ceiling have fallen in the school but the children and staff are all evacuated accounted for and safe. Rohan's teacher has a son at the pre school with Sean, I tell her I am going there and tell the boys to stay with their teachers. I run.
The pre school is a kilometer and a half further away. As I run down the road I see other houses with rooves gone, stone walls strewn across the road, stone storage houses collapsing. I was crying...I am crying now... past the police station, past the aged home where the staff are wheeling invalids out into the car park, I jump the fence and there is Sean in the play ground with all his friends. The teachers comfort them, the children cry, I hug Sean as he bravely wipes the tears from his little face. I talk to his teacher, the preschool is new and there seems to be no damage, the cell phones don't work. I tell her the primary children are all safe. Sora is still at the junior High, three quarters of a kilometer up the hill. I tell Sean to stay with his friends, I tell him to look after his teacher while I go to check on Sora. I run.
Roofing tiles are scattered across the road, the metal railing on the curb is twisted, there are cracks appearing across the road, a tree falls. As I reach the back gate of the school I can see Sora's teacher crossing towards the music room. I call out his name, he sees me and raises his arms to form a circle above his head; Sora is safe. Beyond the gate, across the playing fields, the students are sitting on the ground, the teacher giving them instructions. Many of the children are crying. The teachers tell me the ceilings have come down in the high school too, but the students and staff are all accounted for and safe. They can't contact anyone, they ask me if the damage is worse at the high school because it is at the top of the hill, I tell them it's the same all over, but the pre school and primary school are all safe and unharmed. I hug Sora. The ground moves again, I can see the clock tower swinging back and forth...another aftershock, will they never stop?...again, bigger...has it stopped? I'm not sure... I tell Sora to stay with her teacher also, as I don't know whether it's safe to go home. I retrace my steps, back to the preschool, tell them the High school kids are safe, hug Sean again, borrow the teachers cell phone and try to phone Mika. There is no service. Mika is in Mashiko at the museum where she now works. I can only pray.
I leave Sean with his teacher once again and return to the primary school. I tell Rohans teacher that her son, all the pre school and high school kids are safe. I see the relief on her face. Parents are coming to the school now, taking their children home. Some houses are untouched. I take Canaan and Rohan...another aftershock... and we walk to the preschool. Rohan forgot to grab his safety helmet and Canaan has given him his own...yet another...I praise him for protecting his little brother. I hug them both. I leave the boys at the pre school with Sean, and go to get Sora. One of the mothers of the children's school mates picks us up in her van and we get the boys and return home.

The house and kiln are still standing. A cold wind is chilling the children. I set up a tin stove in the back yard and go inside the house alone to get the kids ski ware. The inside of the house is a mess of broken pottery and glass. Sora looks after the boys outside while I assess the damage. No power, no water, no phone. The roof is a shambles, the back wall of the studio and house is shattered but still standing, the bathroom is a disaster. I get the kids a warm drink and some snacks, then start to clean up inside before it gets too dark. As dusk approaches Mika arrives home. Mashiko was hit hard too, the museum and many houses. All the climbing kilns are damaged but there seem to be no casualties. There was a bus of American tourist at the museum when the earthquake hit and she couldn't leave until they were safe. We are all in tears as we hug. We are safe. We are home.

We get the house functional, I rejoin the stove chimneys and we get the house warm. We break out the emergency water supplies and I get a hot meal on the table by candle light. We send the kids to bed in their clothes, just in case we need to evacuate in the middle of the night. Aftershocks continue, sometimes minutes apart, sometimes half an hour. As we listen to the radio a picture of how wide the devastation is, and how lucky we have been, begins to form.

After a sleepless night, we face a new day. The town is providing emergency water and food at the town hall. Friends come to share what they have, we clean up as best we can and go to help others. We finally contact Mika's family, they are safe.

Houses can be repaired or rebuilt, kilns too. Pottery can be replaced, remade. Stuff doesn't really matter. We'll manage somehow. My family, my loved ones, are safe and sound. They sleep in the next room as I write this to you. I thank God. We are the lucky ones, and my heart and prayers go out to those who are not.

73 comments:

  1. Thank you to post in such a moment, all my "virtual" japanese friends are safe. My whole heart is with you, Mika, the kids and all the people living in Japan.
    Bon courage

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  2. We get a lot of news here in the US about the quake, Euan, but your story is the most direct I've heard so far of what it was like to live through. Thankfully, you aren't on the shore. Sorry to hear of the damage, but very happy no one in your family or among your local friends was hurt or lost. Don't hesitate to put out a call for help, if you think the larger pottery community can contribute to rebuilding. And I'll put a blog post on my own blog to direct people to read this entry.
    Hollis

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  3. Dear Euan,
    Tears in my eyes as I read this. I'm glad you all are safe. I'm glad you're the resourceful person you are. Love, Jean

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  4. I was thinking about you and hoping that you and your family were safe... My sincere sympathies...

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  5. I am speechless. Thank you for sharing. The thoughts and prayers of the world are with you all.

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  6. Bravely written. Not everyone could, so recently an experienced event.
    This has shown us how well Japan is prepared, yet no-one can prepare for something of this magnitude. I hope others around the Ring of Fire can heed this and look to their preparations, whilst assisting Japan with the aftermath.

    Everyones' thoughts and hopes are with you all.
    Blessings Be.

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  7. Best wishes to you, your family and all of Japan. And thank you for posting, it helps to remind us that it is more than news reels.

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  8. Hugs, love and relief to you from America. Be safe.

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  9. Thankyou for sharing your experience..I am so happy that your family is safe.Thinking of you. Connie

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  10. harrowing. and it made me cry, i'm crying now. My heart and thoughts go out to you and your family and all who suffer now as a result of this disaster.

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  11. Euan,

    I am so happy to hear that you and your family are alright. I hope the same for our other friends in Mashiko. I can't image experiencing something so tragic. I know it will be a long time before those that survived on the coast get any normalcy in their lives. Good Luck.

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  12. I'm so happy you and your family are safe. We have watched in horror from the other side of the world. Thank you for sharing this.

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  13. Thank you for the news, harrowing though it must have been for you and your family. Glad to know that you are all OK. I lived in Iwate-ken about 40 years ago and am right now worrying about friends there. All in Japan are in my thoughts and prayers as you go forward.

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  14. My sympathies go out you. Even thou you are physically well, it will take years to recover. Please give my best to Narita and Masami when you see them. Allan

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  15. So pleased to hear that you, your family and those around you are safe. As you say, our thoughts go out to those who are not. In Australia it is difficult to imagine the scope of this destruction. Take care in the coming days, Susan.

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  16. so glad you're safe eaun...been thinking of you and your family and hoping you were up on high ground...stay safe

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  17. Very glad that you and your family are safe! I will be keeping you in my prayers.

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  18. I was directed to read your blog. I had tears as I read. So glad you and your family are safe, and good wishes for the days ahead. Indeed we are all speechless in the face of such a tragedy.

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  19. I'm so glad that you and your children and your wife and her family are safe. This disaster has made me particularly tearful... My hopes and sympathy are with all the families affected by this terrible event. I'm glad to know that many are safe, and deeply saddened to know that many were not. The earth is a wild and unpredictable beast, beautiful but unfathomably powerful.

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  20. So glad to hear you and your family are OK. The footage we are seeing here in Oz is so incredible it is hard to take in. Your recounting of your experience really brings it home. Best wishes to you all as you recover.

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  21. My heart was in my throat Euan, as I read your heart wrenching account of finding your children...I only hope that your writing this is somewhat therapeutic and gives you the strength to continue on. We have been glued to the TV trying to glean some information on your area. We send our love & best wishes to you, Mika & your gorgeous kids, keep safe... Your friends from down under. x x x x

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  22. I hope you don't mind me reposting this account. like most of the other comments it is the most amazing piece of writing from the heart. I'm still sorting out the mess from a flooded studio and bathroom 2 months later. When the adrenalin drops everything takes longer and weighs more. Hang in there and stay safe. Heather in Natimuk Australia

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  23. Glad to hear you are all safe Euan. This is yet another disaster of many in the world at present.
    Take care.
    Regards, Keith. Australia.
    http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/

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  24. Euan. We are SO relieved that you and your family are safe. Thank you for your this amazing reporting.

    Ayumi Horie has organized a benefit auction that will happen next week so that we all can help out in a small way. I will publicize it when it happens.

    Stay safe and know that you all are in our prayers.

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  25. So relieved to read your post, that I had to comment though I have not before. Your writing brings a peace every time; I am sorry you and all in your country are going through such horrors. Here in New Orleans, we were grateful for all the support from Japan, and every site and the newspaper has contact information for donations. It's hard, and Japan has such greater destruction than we had, but we're better, most of us, and closer than before. My heart goes out to you, and I'm donating too. (It may be a small amount, but if everyone gives $20-$25, just these eighteen commenters would give a minimum $360.) - naomi

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  26. So Thankful that you and your family made it through this horrible disaster safely. We have been watching closely, and praying for the people of Japan.Our friends have all checked in and are well, though Our neighbour's brother has been roadblocked due to the reactor meltdown. As Hollis said, do not be hesitant to ask, if there is anything the pottery Community can do to help. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Peace to you in the coming days
    Liz

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  27. i am so glad to hear that you and your family are safe! i will be thinking of you and all those affected by the earthquake in the days to come and wishing you safety, strength, and peace.

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  28. You are brave dear Euan, and so are you children and wife. What wonderful hearts you all have.
    We are thinking of you all and wishing you stay safe and resilient through the aftermath of this natural disaster.
    The way you've retold your experience of this massive earthquake is heart wrenching and lucid. Because of you and all that running from school to school, you helped others in Mashiko know that their children were alright. So very brave. Glad Mika was safe through it all and how lucky were those fellow Americans to have her watch after them.
    Stay brave, stay safe.
    Hugs from Oz, Renee & David

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  29. I too am very happy that you and your family are safe. The silence was deafening. People stateside have been contacting me to ask of MY welfare and I tell them that it's my friend in Mashiko I worry about. What can I do to help you? Do you need a loan? Keep us posted and Lisa and I will keep you in your thoughts and prayers.

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  30. Euan,
    I am glad to hear that you are safe and that your family is well. I was able to contact all of my friends in Japan and all are safe. They are fortunate. The damage is incredible. I was listening to streaming coverage and there were aftershocks about every 30 seconds it seems.

    All of Japan is in our thoughts are prayers.

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  31. Glad to hear that you and your loved ones are safe. Be well. Robyn B.

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  32. Thank you for your account of the quake, it conveyed things in a far more vivid and moving way than the news footage ever can. I am so glad that you and your family are OK. We watched the news of the quake in Japan with horror, especially as many people in the country where I live are still feeling shocked, lost, and are grieving after the recent quake in Christchurch NZ. Very Kind Thoughts from us here.

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  33. So pleased to hear you and your family are safe...saddened by recent dramatic events of nature. Take care and stay safe from Andrea an old college friend in Australia.

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  34. All of you are in our prayers here on Guam. Know that there are donation points at most gas stations, as well as the Red Cross, and many of the schools. We thanked God this morning in our church service, for your safety, and asked for his continued protection of you and yours.
    Robert

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  35. Dear Euan, Mika and Children,
    What a relief to know you made it through this safely.
    What is there to do now?? Clean up, move on and be ever so thankful for each other and what we have.
    Darice

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  36. I am thinking of you, your family and all the people in Japan....sending thoughts of love, hope, courage and a strong will to get through this perilous time....it is all stunning.
    -Diana

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  37. God bless you. God bless Japan.
    Thank you so much for posting.
    You are in my heart,
    Carol Mullen

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  38. Best of luck to you, your family and of course everyone in Japan as you recover and rebuild. Your story touched my heart so deeply, thank you for sharing. Know that the world is thinking of all of you and help is on the way from all corners for the world.

    Virtual hugs from Lisa E from Canada

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  39. Euan - As Allan said ... my sympathy is with you, your family and people of Japan. Please give my best to Narita and Masami. Keep Safe, Lee

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  40. What an amazing and moving account - so glad my Mum (Laura Inoue) directed me to it - I've now posted it up on my facebook for people to try and get some idea of what it must have been like to be in this. We feel so helpless from the UK but send you all much love and many prayers - though I only know you through the bathroom sink as it were!!
    Nathalie Marshall

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  41. Euan, So relieved to learn from your blog that you and your lovely family are safe and OK.
    Your brave writing brought some crucial reality to the frightening nonstop pictures we are watching helplessly here in California. Other comments suggest donations---I'd be glad to too.
    Heartfelt prayers thoughts and wishes are with you and your family and neighbours and all the good people of Mashiko.
    Mary Aline, Pacific Grove, California
    (with memorable visits to your studio and home for demos and firings in May 2003---with George Dymesich's group)

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  42. Dear Euan, Thank you for posting this. we are SO relieved you are all OK.
    Ken Matsuzaki posted a picture of what was his kiln! Frightening.
    Much love
    Kate & Steve Mills

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  43. As a potter and mother and wife,etc...I just want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and although we cannot begin to understand what you are going through, my family and I only send love and positivity your way. If there is anything we can actually DO on this end, PLEASE let us know.

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  44. Euan - An incredible account. Very happy to hear that you and your family are safe. Please also give my best to Narita and Masami as well when you see them. Will keep all of you in my thoughts as you face the challenges of recovering and rebuilding in the days ahead.

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  45. These proverbial thousand words are better than a picture. So glad you and the family are safe.
    Bonnie Hellman

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  46. Thank you for this very moving account of the earthquake. We are all thinking of Japan and hoping the earthquakes are subsiding so that recovery can be made.

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  47. Dear Euan and Family,
    Thank you for letting us know the situation in Mashiko, the non-stop news in UK is mainly on the horrors of coastal Tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Power station. Do you know situation in other pottery towns? Is my Mashiko friend Tomoko Yamato alright?
    Enormous, heartfelt sympathy from London. Fundraising is starting.From fellow potter
    Jill Fanshawe Kato

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  48. Dear Euan and family, Thank you for letting us know the situation in Mashiko, the non-stop news here is mainly on the horrors of coastal tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Station. Do you know the situation in other pottery towns? Is my Mashiko friend Tomoko Yamato safe?
    Enormous heartfelt sympathy from London.
    Fundraising is starting.
    Jill Fanshawe Kato

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  49. Thank you for sharing your story Euan. Stay safe, all of you.

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  50. I read your post and tears are in my eyes.I'm so happy that you and your familiy are safe. No word to say, just our prayer for Japan. A friend from Italy

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  51. Dear Euan - we are launching an appeal at the Leach Pottery to raise funds for Mashiko. We haven't forgotten what you all did for us in the past and if we can help - even if in a small way - then we will. If anyone wants to donate to the Mashiko appeal please contact the Leach Pottery in St Ives office@leachpottery.com or visit our website www.leachpottery.com where we will post information.

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  52. So pleased you are safe. Thank you for sharing this at this difficult time. There are no words.

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  53. What a horrific experience... So glad to know that you and your family are safe.

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  54. Euan, It is heart warming to know that Mika the children and you are all ok. Thank you for sharing so richly with the rest of us. You are in our hearts and prayers. Please pass warm regards to Narita and Masami next you meet.

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  55. Your light is shining, and brightening the world!

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  56. Words fail me, your personal account brought tears to my eyes.
    Australia and NZ has had its fair share of disasters this year, but your earthquake is the monster of them all. My heart goes out to all affected in Japan, may God be near to you at this time.
    A pottery lover, Australia

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  57. Euan, thank you for your words. It has been horrifying enough to sit over this side of the world watching the events unfold. As said so many times our thoughts are with you and all those affected. love and best wishes.

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  58. Euan, Are you and your family safe from nuclear fallout? You are in our thoughts and prayers with those of your countrymen who maybe in danger.

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  59. Sending love and light to all...

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  60. Euan I follow your blog regularly, but checked here today to see how you all are- glad your safe but so sad to see such tragedy. I am waiting for my son in Niseko to find safe passage home, its a slow ticking clock waiting for news.
    Prayers are with you all

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  61. Dear Euan and Family

    Glad to hear you are all safe and I hope that you will be potting and posting soon.

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  62. Your story made the horrible stories on the news seem both more real and more tragic. Thank you for helping us see the world that you are living with.

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  63. My goodness, how on earth can anyone write such breathtaking scribe when under this kind of threat?
    My hats off to you and your family for your stoicism and I truly hope you and all of Japan get the help you so desparately need.
    I felt your fear through your writing and also felt your love too! You are a truly remarkable person and one I would love to know. If I can raise some much needed funds for you, please let me know what you need, as I will try.
    Much love from the UK.
    Sue Luckham, close friend of David Mills xxxxx

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  64. Daisy Gail Adkisson17 March 2011 at 02:57

    With many tears I thank you for your portrayal of the disastrous events. We are so deeply touched and send love and many prayers from the US.

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  65. Thank you for sharing. My hope and prayers are with you and your family.

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  66. I am a world away.I am deeply touched by the honesty and love within your words. I want to help. I will pray and I will make pots in your honor. I will make sure you and the people in Japan feel our love and compassion. Somehow, I will.

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  67. I so appreciate your honesty in this blog. I cannot help but be moved by your writing. I hope that you will somehow find peace in your decisions. Thank you for posting this.

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  68. Blessing to you - stranger and now friend. May your family remain safe and healthy

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  69. Euan, I found your blog via the Potter's Council. I have read it with great interest, as your account of this experience makes this disaster seem very personal. I look forward to visiting your blog again in the future to learn about your progress and recovery of your area. My experience in Japan a few years ago was a wonderful opportunity and I had the chance to meet some potters in Arita and Hagi. I found Japan to be a nation of integrity, strength, and respect. I know the Japanese people are very strong and this is a hardship that will be overcome. I am glad to read that your family is safe. Best wishes during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your story.
    With kind regard, Amy in Ohio, USA

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  70. From one potter to another, my heart goes out to you and your family. Potters are resourceful and strong. I have faith that you will overcome this. Take care and be safe. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.

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  71. Jennifer Henbest de Calvillo24 March 2011 at 21:35

    What an account! So glad you are ok...now what can artists do for Japan and how to help the potters. thinking of you ..... will help by buying some work when you are able to sell it.
    Sincerely Jennifer Henbest de Calvillo
    Just working with students from Osaka on a project with Children and Japan making Art activity bags to send up to evacuation centers.....almost ready to send out the site...thinking about children who have nothing and how they can do emotional healing.
    http://web.me.com/jhcalvillo/ChildrensWishesForJapan/CWJ.html
    talked with Steve briefly just now about that auction - thought of you ..glad you are fine wondering about all these other areas! My.....oh.....

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  72. I am glad you & family are safe, it may take a lot of time to re-building the normal life again,
    but I am praying and have a big hope to
    see you and everyone in MASHIKO will recover from this misfortune in near future !

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