I was trying so hard to be happy for Japan with the recent news of their hosting the 2020 Olympics. I want to be happy for them, they have so much saddest recently. But for those of us who were in Tokyo just 2 years 9 months ago, promising that everything will be "safe" for the Olympics seems unreal. The darken subways, the closed airports, sending food to friends in Tokyo, fear of stopping anywhere along the highway near Fukushima, everyday folks scrapping money together to buy radiation detectors and such still haunt us. Japan could use some good news, but with such unsettling news that continues coming out of Fukushima and their nuclear reactor issues, it gives one poise.With so many of my dear friends in Japan, here's hoping this it all works out.

A grateful Japan....

Rikuzentakada, Iwate, Japan

After the tsunami, this tree was the only one left of over 70,000 pine trees in the coastal town of Rikuzentakada. It became a sign of hope for many in the area or the "miracle pine tree" as it was called by the locals. Unfortunately, salt water caused it to eventually die. But this fall, the town preserved it and put it back in place. This inspiring symbol will be at the center of a soon to be developed memorial park.