Miki Endo

As we boarded the bus this morning and set off for Sendai, our guide bade us good morning.  After a quick review of the day's plans, she paused to share with us a story.   Being so early in the morning and in the trip, I was expecting a story of hope, of bravery, of dedication, and it was...  but with a twist.  This is that story...

Ms. Miki Endo sat at her office on March 11, 2011 doing her daily work in her job in the emergency preparedness office.  This was no glamorous job and the Japanese had good warning systems in place, the coastline was well fortified with man-made sea walls and the towns people had practiced the tsunami warnings countless times.  So when the earthquake hit, and the tsunami warning went off, Miki moved into a role she was well prepared for.

Buddhist monk watches over Nishihon

Ganji Sendai Betsuin Temple

Her voice echoed over the town, helping guide people to the safety of the heights.  Her job was simple, but possibly the most important job of any time, of any place, and for anyone hearing her voice.  Townsfolk took heed of her warnings and moved to the heights, away from the coastline, the pending disaster that had still yet to materialize.  She was providing knowledge and time.  Both so precious at this moment.

The first of seven waves began to pound and overtake the coastline.  The man-made structures, weakened by the earthquake, toppled underneath the unyielding force of the tsunami.  And it kept coming.  And Miki's voice kept on, guiding stragglers to safety, to life.  There was no questioning Miki's dedication to her job and the responsibility of her town.

And the waters did not stop and so Miki continued her steadfast courage in the face of the unknown.  How much more would the waters rise?  How much more could her voice bring the guiding angels to the townspeople?  So she sat in her room on the third floor of the city building.  She sat there and repeated the words of life until it was no longer possible...

Three weeks later they found Miki's body.  It was not easy to recognize her body as the waters had rendered her naked and pure, save for one small bracelet.  Upon seeing the bracelet, her parents were able to identify their daughter and remember the day that she had been given the charm by her fiance.

Triton's spear awakes
From mother earth's fierce tremors
The spirit endures