I knew it was coming, but I have definitely hit my exhaustion wall. I’m in a daze. Spent most of today sleeping in Sendai. The Meysen crew has been just great taking care of and feeding me so no worries there. As much as I want to get back into the action I know it is critically important to try to rest up. Had a few planning meetings at the warehouse with Samaritans Purse and getting to bed early tonight.
Something I wanted to point out that I am seeing- “stacked found items” from the debris. I am not sure if this is part of Japanese culture, or part of human nature, but I see stacks or organized “finds” from the rubble everywhere. Sometimes it is a single item, like a moped or backpack- sometimes it is a set of something like camera equipment, electronics, dolls or bottles – but no matter what it is, this much is clear: someone was digging in the debris, found the item(s) and instead of stealing it, either set it up or arranged the items and left them there. Being that we often drive past the same places day in and day out, I’ve seen these things sit there untouched, almost as if they were waiting for their owner. Not sure what the thinking is on this practice, but it is everywhere.
When I send my young children to clean their room this is what happens. they are young not 100% sure just what to do so they gather like objects/toys and group them together. Could the people of this disaster simply be doing just that? Going through the ruble and noticing like objects/belongings and simply grouping them? just my thought.
I mentioned this to Wendy, Nates mom; she thinks they might be found memorials of those who are lost. Nate should ask some of the people who and why. What a great tribute to the Japanese people, their culture, their sense of honor, their dignity in the face of such horror.
I believe that the idea is that they wish the owners are alive and, eventually, get back and get at least that little good news, that some meaningful items are there awaiting their owners.
Seeing children’s toys lined up brings in such a deep feeling of sadness.
I’m no doctor but I would tend to think this is some got of instinctive mechanism that helps them cope with a situation they have no control of. By stacking items I think they unconsciously do this to make it seem like they have some control, its therapy.