The horror and devastation in northern Japan is so great, that it is difficult for the mind to grasp what the eyes see and yet, the 24/7 news coverage confirms the grim reality. It is ironic that such a fiercely destructive display of nature can also be accompanied by a breathtaking outburst of floriferous beauty. In the United States and Japan, cherry trees are unfurling their tight buds and enveloping their naked branches in hazy clouds of pink and white blossoms.
It is sakura season (cherry blossom), normally a time of celebrating spring's renewal, but its spectacular beauty is also symbolic of the ephemeral nature of life - joy and sorrow co-mingle together, for one cannot appreciate the bliss of re-birth without mourning the fleeting life. And likewise, the cherry blossom makes a perfect metaphor for the character of the Japanese people: they will leave the hardships of the past behind, persevere in the present and look ahead with hope and renewal.
Many of our GardenLife listeners have sent me emails asking if any family members live in the stricken areas and fortunately, my relatives live primarily in Honshu's Tokyo-Yokohoma cities and Kyushu's Kumamoto prefecture. For now, they are safe, but I thank you all for your kind concerns. If you would like to help those who are struggling in Northeastern Japan, contact an established humanitarian agency such as the American Red Cross and specify that your donation is to go to Japan's aid.
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