How to Help Japan

Darlings, last night I came home from a day of playing in the California desert sunshine and a wonderful dinner in Palm Springs with my husband, his coworkers and one of the world’s most prominent architects. I was feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. We turned on the TV and couldn’t believe our eyes. Japan was shaking and tsunamis were washing cars, buildings and, presumably and terrifyingly, people away. Our hearts lurched for all of the people of Japan and for our dear friends living there. Not to mention our sweet readers in Japan that I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting face to face.

The scenes were devastating. And seemed so unreal. It felt eerily similar to 9/11, when it was so hard for our brains to catch up to our hearts. When everything seemed like a really scary movie in slow motion. Unfortunately, last night’s events were just as real as those on September 11^th.

I’ve had the honor of visiting Japan, and the country and its people are so remarkable, so kind. Today, along with feeling helpless, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And it only feels right to pass those blessings and good fortunes along. Want to help Japan, too?  Thankfully, new ways to help the people of Japan are emerging. Here’s a link to some ways that you can help. The quickest is to text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 today (or donate online here). If you have more ideas, please leave them in the comments below.

To all of the people of Japan and for those of you with loved ones there, our hearts are with you. I’ll leave you with these inspiring quotes by Audrey Hepburn:

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself; the second is to help others.“

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

[Photos by kellygolightly of the adorable children we saw in Tokyo a few years back]