The final day

Yesterday was the conclusion (or rather, the culmination!) of the "Gambaro JAPAN!" - Walk for Japan.

The final day was much like the previous 30 days of walking: I met, talked to, walked with, connected, and shared stories and concern about Japan with countless people along the way. There were, as always, a few special encounters as well!!
Every person I have met along the way in this event has been a memorable encounter for me! Truly the power of our event's message ("Gambaro Japan!") rests in your hands. Vancouverites, people visiting Vancouver, even a group of Girl Guides!

"Gambaro-!"

My first special encounter: YOSHIMI!  My wife (my support crew) joined me on my final day of walking. Then part way through my good friend who now lives here in Vancouver, Andy, joined us!!  

Andy and his family were my first glimpse of Japanese culture before I even knew anything about Japan. In fact, it was Andy who many years ago brought back a souvenir bandanna for me from Japan. That was the hachimaki (bandanna) that I wore for the first half of this event!

Not only was it great to walk with him, it was great to see both him and Jaime again!

Later in the day as I made my way around Stanley Park, I met a friendly Japanese couple. It turned out they were on the final day of their visit to Canada. As it was the final day of my event, we all seemed to agree that this was if a lovely chance encounter. They expressed their appreciation for what I was doing, but I was deeply moved when in the midst of our friendly exchange in Japanese the man extended his hand to shake mine and said, in English, "Thank you very much!".  They agreed to tell those they know back in Japan upon their return home about this event, so as to help deliver the message from Canada: "Gambaro Japan!"

The goal for the day, and concluding point of the event, was the Olympic Cauldron.  The sense of elation in having completed the journey by foot from Edmonton to Vancouver was an immensely positive feeling.

We were soon joined, as promised, for an interview with Mr. Sasagawa representing the Vancouver Shimpo (a Japanese Newspaper in Vancouver).  Sitting down to share our story with him was an honour in light of hearing his own story as a Japanese Canadian.  Mr. Sasagawa is a survivor of tremendous hardship.  He watched his town burn around him in the great Kobe earthquake in 1995. At that time, he was deeply impressed by the fundraising activities and the support rallying around this disaster.  For this reason, he wanted to interview us to express his personal gratitude for our efforts as well as support our event through a write-up in the newspaper.

Meeting him was an honour.  It brought a very true and honest sense of completion to the final leg of the journey.

I feel that our objective of channeling supportive thoughts to those struggling to recover in Japan has been a huge success. 

As we mentioned in a previous entry, although the event itself has now concluded, considering the nature of our cause I am sure you will agree that our cause (support for disaster recovery in Japan) will remain important for some time to come.

We would like to sincerely thank each and every person who helped and supported us in this effort: friends, family and kind strangers we met along the way.  Without your help this event would not have been as effective as it was.  You have helped deliver the message of "Gambaro!".

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA!!!  

ありがとうございました！！