Thank you letterの力

今朝メールをチェックしていたらとてもいい話を見つけました。
50代のアメリカ人男性ですが、いままで全く感謝してこなかった人たちに感謝しようと思い立ち、多くの人たちに心をこめてThank you letterを書いたそうです。

その中には昔大変お世話になったもう今は80代になった先生がいました。
その先生から以下のようなお返事が来ました。　

My dear Willie,

I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me.

I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, lingering behind.

You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years and yours is the first note of appreciation I ever received.

 It came on a blue-cold morning, and it cheered me as nothing has in many years.

この男性はこのメッセージを読んで泣きくずれたそうです。　

私も素晴らしいメッセージを送ってくれた友人にThank you letterを書きました。

みなさんとその内容をシェアします。

Dearest Mr. and Mrs. X,

Reading your email, I could not help crying.

You are the real ANGELS on earth to me.

I’ve had such tough weeks physically and mentally;you gave me the warmest message which deeply touched my heart.

After the terrible earthquake on Mar.11,  I soon sent my daughters to one of the safest places in Japan, Kumamoto,  where my parents live.

Yes, I was so worried about the nuclear power plant radiation leakages.

But things are finally calming down here..

We still have scheduled blackouts, less trains, a little shortages of food and goods supply (nothing serious) in Tokyo; we are doing OK, so far.

It should be inevitable that  we will be affected by the radiation gradually.

We can not do anything about the water we use everyday and the air we breathe every minute...

I now think that we must accept our fate and live with this environment.

I decided to spend my life doing something good to improve the situation here.

My daughters came back just yesterday from my parents’ place.

That was their choice.

They valued their school and social life here in Tokyo more than their healthier life.

I can not blame it. 

Thank you so much for your sincere concern.

You are my sunshine, really!

Again, thank you so much for cheering me up.

With massive gratitude and love,

Miwako

Messages which made me cry...

I am sure many people in Japan went through very emotional weeks due to the large historic earthquake.

I personally had very difficult weeks. 

When I was depressed, I've received some wonderful messages which made me cry ...

Please learn from  these expressions below as I was so energized reading them.

We are indeed one big family beyond our nationality..
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"We would like you to know that you can count on us if you need any help. " 

"We want you to know that this housing is available to you at any time and we would never consider charging you anything to stay there.  Mrs. Yamamoto, you are like a family to us. Please let me know how you are doing."

"Please remember that there are many reasons to keep living and that there are many people who love you, including me."

"Please breathe deeply and become aware that you are a precious member of the universe, that we need you, and that we love you. 

Your existence on this planet is important and so please stay with us.

Having a job is important, but a job does not define us. 

Financial security is important, but it does not define us either. 

The most important thing in the world is LOVE which is the opposite of fear. 

Please, dear friend, keep looking toward the light for that will get rid of the darkness in your life. 

I am now sending you love and light and will continue to do so. "

"Hang in there as I believe Japanese people will prevail no matter what because your race is one tough and disciplined cookie. 

 After watching and reading so many video clips and articles online, I have an indelibly positive impression on how the Japanese people have kept their great composure following the horrible triple-whammy incidents. 

Frankly, I don't think there are any other countries out there who would do better than you're already doing right now. 

I say this per my own observation since last Thursday night from the moment the earthquake hit Sendai.  

Write to me sometimes just to let me know you're doing okay or if you just feel like chatting for tension relief.  "

"What can I do to help you? 

Please let me know if there is something that you need (food, clothing, etc.) and how to send it to you. 

Also, please consider coming to live in my home in California where it is safe. 

I don't know if that is something you have thought about, but I wanted to offer it just in case you think it best to leave Japan for now.

I wanted you to know that you and your daughters have a place to go where you will be welcome and safe.  "