for japan with love...

not even sure how to begin.

what started off as "i hope we get 50 bloggers involved" and "i hope we do raise $5,500"

turned into something far beyond what i had ever imagined.

it's 9:10 pm right now as i write this.

at this moment, we have raised $22,715 and it grows every minute.

we know we have more than 1200 bloggers involved with the Bloggers Day of Silence-

from all over- from West Coast through the East Coast, all over Europe and even in Australia!

Henny, Lucy and i got together today.

we sat for a moment to grasp what we had started.

i probably have blank stared at my inbox every morning since we started this campaign

i'm in complete awe at the outpouring of support and love from all of you.

it has been so amazing to see all of us come together to help.

not just with raising donations, but with raising awareness for all of this.

even so, i feel like i'm still not doing enough.

we may have raised enough money to help with a few families.

but turn on the news, and you'll see,

Japan is dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake and a tsunami,

a blizzard and a possible nuclear meltdown.

i can't even fathom what it must be like.

as of today,

6,406 are confirmed dead, 2,409 injured

and 10,259 are still missing.

i've been watching the videos of where survivors go back to their homes.

there's one of a fire department chief of a town, who had left when the earthquake happened to set up the tsunami walls,  the tsunami hit, and he lost his whole family.

there's one where a mother talks of how she lost the grip of her daughter as the tsunami pulled the two apart.

it goes on.

it's completely heartbreaking.

there have been countless amount of times where my eyes have welled up with tears.

so.

from over here and as much as i can offer,

my heart, prayers and thoughts are with you, Japan.

we are all behind you and will do whatever it takes to help you with the long road of recovery.

i'd love to be there physically helping with whatever i can, and maybe one day, i'll get there.

but for now, this is what i have...what we have.
many thanks, squeals, hugs
to Lucy and Henny from Utterly Engaged
for helping me start this.

heartfelt hugs to all of you.

for the donations and help with bloggers day of silence.

thanks for making this happen.

every little helps so keep contributing and spreading the word about 

For Japan With Love

and so here goes,

2:46 PM

Japan Time

March 11, 2011.

silence for those who can no longer speak

and for those in pain.

much love,