My husband and I generally lie in bed at night, checking our phones before going to sleep (I know, I know.. bad habit!). This past Thursday was no different.. just before putting my phone down and turning out the light, I checked CNN. Another bad habit – though I feel it important to keep up on current events, reading the news of the world isn’t always the best sleep remedy. This night in particular.
Having grown up in the Bay Area, I know what a natural disaster can do..especially an earthquake. The 1989 quake is still fresh in my memory, even though I was only in elementary school. It has had a lasting effect on me, even to the point where I think about it every time I cross the Bay Bridge. So when I read that Japan had experienced a 8.9 quake.. I gasped. Got goosebumps. My heart started racing. I couldn’t sleep that night. I was up late reloading the news sites, watching footage.. my stomach was doing flip-flops and my head was shaking. Suddenly the 1989 quake seemed so small. I knew what could be the outcome of such a tremor – but couldn’t even truly fathom what they are going through now.
In the midst of this tragedy, I couldn’t help wonder what it was that I could do to help. I recently came across a wedding blogger’s post on their creation, For Japan With Love. It is a collaboration between the amazing Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours – each donation made will be sent to the awesome organization Shelter Box, which delivers emergency shelter to those in need around the world.
I have decided to participate in a blogger’s day of silence – which will be tomorrow, March 18th. And of course, by writing this post I hope to get the word out to my readers in hopes of a donation if you are able. The initial goal was $5,500.. when I last checked, the total had reached $14,258. That is almost triple the goal, which is so amazing. Here’s to tripling it again. Because really.. we are all vulnerable. And on Thursday night, that headline could have very well read San Francisco.
