I have completed my medical relief work and left Ishinomaki yesterday. I feel I have done something useful, while I have not done enough… It’s a mixed feeling.
Over 100 days after the devastating earthquake/Tsunami, temporary houses are being built at a rapid pace. People living in the shelters are now thinking about and planning for their “post-shelter” lives. Medical social workers have a lot of work cut out for them. Most of the shelters, including Yugakukan, will be closed out in coming months. I will miss the people I met there, but it will be a good thing for people to be back to their normal lives and move on to their new endeavors.
I hope the day will come soon when a music stand will be used as a music stand…
My job is done for now.
Ishinomaki, “Sayonara Itsuka” (Good bye, see you again someday…)
