I sobbed Friday morning (May 11) when I read the front-page article "Calls flood Kumamoto hospital as it opens first baby hatch." Sixty-year old memories shocked me like jolts of electricity. After being abandoned in an orphanage, I spent many agonizing years not understanding the subliminal pain and severe damage to my spirit caused by my parents' rejection.
The Japan Times recently reported on a young man who started a new career as a grade-school teacher. This young man was interviewed on NHK-TV. The studio was filled with laughter and high-energy as he radiated enthusiasm and passion for his new teaching career. He is confident about his contribution to students' education, academically and spiritually. His eyes sparkle with wisdom that he is a very special person. He characterizes years of nurturing from parents who loved and embraced him every day. His classroom will overflow every day with the same nurturing. His students are lucky.
I am hopeful the upcoming generation of "hatch" babies will be lucky and be given even a scrap of the love this young man found. My feelings of love and compassion are in my heart every day for tomorrow's children.