The Day of 3.11

「俺のところは大丈夫。もっと困った人がいる筈だから
そっちを助けてあげてくれ。」
気がつけば3.11(東日本大震災)の事を書き連ねていました。
#note #東日本大震災 #災害#言葉

I had finished my preparations and was just about to write about a hobby-related topic when I realized that today is 3.11 (the day the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred).

When that happens, there are stories that come to mind... so this time, I would like to write about 3.11 as it is.

That said, writing about the details of 3.11 is heavy on my heart right now, so I would like to narrow the content down to the topic I most want to convey.

That is the story of the nameless people struggling on the front lines.

It was perhaps a few days after 3.11 occurred.
I received an email from a former boss I used to work with. I believe it was a reply to a welfare check I had sent.

He said, "I was slightly affected by the disaster, but my whole family is safe. I am currently heading to the disaster area to provide support."

I was relieved by that news, and the reply I received when I offered to support his family who remained at home was very impressive.

"I'm fine. There must be people in more trouble than me, so please help them instead."

I first met my former boss when we worked together on a certain project that was in crisis. Even in complex situations, he was someone who could calmly assess the current state of affairs and never forgot to show warmth even in harsh circumstances.

Even in a situation where he himself was a victim—though perhaps not an extreme one—his nature did not change, and he was tackling the difficult situation in the same way I had always respected.

This story reminds me of what a hero looks like to me, and at the same time, it triggers memories of another issue: the many heartless words directed at those on the front lines.

Back then—and even now—it is not rare for heartless words to be thrown at people working in extreme conditions.

Among them, there were surely those who had lost their families and were lashing out with nowhere else to put their emotions. But sadly, there are also those who put their own feelings first and vent their frustrations on others to relieve themselves.

The people fighting on the front lines of difficult situations are not special people. Most are just ordinary people who, like my former boss, headed there for work or of their own volition.

People like my former boss are gradually pooling their efforts, working to improve the situation even a little by turning them into a greater force.

This is not to say we should praise them. But at the very least, I wish people would stop throwing stones at the backs of those who are doing their best.

I also went to the area to help with facility restoration once things had settled down, and even though it wasn't in the area with the worst damage, the scars of the town being mowed down were painful to see. Even now, more than 10 years later, I still remember the sense of unease I felt, as if I had arrived in another world.

If that was the case in an area where the damage was limited, I can only imagine the mental strain on those who went to the front lines, especially the Self-Defense Forces. I remember that the Self-Defense Forces, in particular, were subjected to words that made people forget they were just human beings, due to issues involving political beliefs and their background in military training.

Of course, most of the voices were simple expressions of gratitude and support... but thorns are easy to throw, and even a single one can deeply gouge a person's heart if it pierces them.

I don't even want to think about it, but if a similar disaster happens next time, I hope people will think carefully before throwing stones at the backs of those who are working hard. Because the hand of the person they are throwing that stone at might be holding the hand of someone who is crying out for help.

<Stories related to disasters>

<Stories about another boss>

<Are you sure you're okay with that equipment while walking through a poisonous swamp?>

This is a magazine that includes some serious topics and content that isn't funny in a joking way. My other magazines are the opposite of this and are more relaxed (ﾟ∀ﾟ)