2011年3月11日午後２：４６、東北地方太平洋沖地震(Tohoku Pacific Offshore Earthquake)が起こりました。地震直後マグニチュード8.8と発表された2日後、Ｍ9.0に訂正された1000年に一度という巨大地震、最も被害を多く受けた宮城・岩手に住む者として、被害にあわれた方々に心を痛めています。

停電、断水、そして固定電話・携帯電話、インターネットが繋がらなくなった地震後、亡くなって初めていかに私たちの生活が、これらに頼り切っていたかに気づかされました。毎日メールチェックをするのが日常、たかが3日間不通になっただけで、まるで外の世界と遮断されたような感覚になりました。

そんな心細い思いをした後、友人たちから届いていたメールのうれしかったこと！東日本を襲ったこの大地震のニュースは、海外のメディアでも取上げられ、地震を心配し、案じた海の向うに住む友人たちからメッセージが寄せられました。自分はひとりじゃない、みんなに守られていると１つ１つのメールを読みながら胸が熱くなりました。これらのメッセージは、私と家族そして日本国へのもの、と受けとり一部をここにシェアします。


　　　　I’m crying ・・・I’m so sad to hear the news! I’m so sad 
           for the so nice Japanese people. Tell me if you are ok.          
                                                                            N.W(London, UK)

          I hope you and your family are fine, and have your house 
          and health.  We are all thinking about you all after this tragedy.
                                                                                      A.H(Norway)

　　　　I hope that when you read this email you and your family,
           friends, and co-workers are safe and healthy.We are
           thinking of all of you. If there is anything or anywhere 
           or anyway we can help you and your community, 
           please let me know.
                                                                   S.S(Vancouver,Canada)
  

          I pray that the loss of life is low and everyone is able to
          help each other. Please let me know how the Kitakami
          area was affected.
                                                                           M.C(Chicago, USA)

          I pray that you and your family are safe. You will be in
          my thoughts and prayers are for your family and all of Japan.
                                                                                 B.T(Texas, USA)

          I am so sorry for your country and Iwate. Please let us
          know, when you can, that your families are okay. We will
          keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
                                                                                 T.T(Texas, USA)

          We have watched with great concern and sorrow the
          tragedy that you must now be living though. Please let us
          know if you’re well and know that our love and thoughts are
          strongly with you and your country  at this terribley difficult time.
                                                                                    T.I(Texas,USA)

　　　　
          I just found out about the earthquake. Are you ok? I tried to
          call you multiple times but I think the lines are overloaded or 
          something.Let me know as soon as you are able,ok?
          I’m so worried about you.
                                                                           M.W(California,USA)

          We’re very sorry to hear about the earthquake & tsunami. 
          Will be praying for your country.
                                                                             S.B(California,USA)

          Hope you and your familes are all right. Just let me know
          I am thinking of you.
                                                                             M.S(California,USA)

           We’re concerned about you and your family. We  send 
           our love and best wishes, please let us know if there is
           something we could do to be helpful!
                                                                              M.F(California, USA)

          

Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ！
Ｍｅｒｃｉ！
ありがとう。

思いは、国境を超えて。 
私たちは一人じゃない。