Hope springs eternal

I’m kind of neutral about flying.  I don’t really fly that often, only a few times a year, which is probably why I don’t mind it too much.  On the downside, I’m slightly claustrophobic.  And, of course, there’s the food and re-circulating air and general germy-ness of the whole endeavor.  Here’s the thing, though, whenever I fly I am almost always seated next to someone incredibly interesting. 

A couple of months ago, on the way to Peru I had the dreaded “middle middle” seat in coach.  To my left, the Mister dozed companionably.  To my right, a charming Japanese grandmother, recently widowed, shared her story of coming to California in her 20s, marrying an Irishman from Boston, and raising a family in the Northeast.  We talked about food, about travel, about gardens, about our children, and our faith.  Even after 40 some  years in the U.S., her accent was thick, and, at times I wasn’t sure what she was saying.  And yet, we understood each other.

As you might have guessed, in light of the tragic events of this past week, I can’t stop thinking of her, praying for her and her family, many of whom still live in Japan.

Organized by Samaritan’s Purse, a 747 cargo jet filled with 90 tons of emergency supplies, including heavy-duty plastic shelter materials departs for Japan tomorrow.  To help, click here.

Many bloggers are joining tomorrow’s Day of Silence for Japan.  I plan to do the same.

Top image, courtesy nih.gov  Others from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.