As most of you know on Friday, March 11, 2011, a massive 8.9 earthquake, which resulted in a tsunami hit Japan and caused extensive destruction.
 

Early Friday morning, I was busily preparing my kids to get out the door on time for school, when the phone rang. It was my husband. In my head while fighting winter gear, and a two-year old who loves to run away when it’s time to get a coat on, I immediately thought great timing! Hubs, you know I’m trying to get these kiddos ready to go!
 

Fortunately, I somehow managed to answer the phone and not take my frustration out on my hubby. Instead I listened when he asked “Have you watched the news at all this morning?” Of course I had not had time for that, but you know when someone asks you that, something has happened and you get that sinking feeling in your gut.
 

When he told me about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan I felt sick to my stomach, and awfully sad. My thoughts immediately went to my friend and her beautiful family that live in Japan, and I was very worried.
 

It also conjured up many fears I used to unproductively create in my mind about living on an earthquake belt on the Ocean in Vancouver. I won’t bore you with the ridiculous scenarios I would create in my head, but the fact that this is something I have feared personally, only made the disaster feel that much worse.
 

My heart skipped a beat when I received an email from my friend telling me she was OK, but dizzy from the quakes. My thoughts and prayers go out to Japan, and my heartfelt condolences to all of the victims.
 

I wish to do anything I can to help. Sometimes disaster is so enormous it seems hard to know where to start. The important thing is that you do take that step. For that reason, I want to share with you today a place to start where you can help support relief work to meet critical needs by making a donation to the Red Cross. Please visit Redcross.org to make a donation online.
 

Another option is to “text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.”
 

You can make a bigger impact by also sharing this information with your friends and family.
It is a time to reflect on what is really important in life, and to make a difference to those in need.
 

Making a difference is something you have the power to choose ALL the time!
 

Thank you, my friends for your time!