Epilogue: Continuing the message...!

THANK YOU!
Thank you! (yes, YOU!!!) for taking the time to check-out this web site!  If you like, why not have a look around?  The walk has ended.  It was an incredible experience for me for the very fact that it involved others - and that includes you!  It is my sincerest hope that the message of this event will continue on - this is where you come in!  Please have a look through the many tabs above, maybe even read through the blog entries that are on the left side of your screen.  Have a look at the many pictures and browse through the story of this event.
Ways you can help:
Also, be sure to take a peek at the several links here to the right.  If you are moved to do so, there are several charities that you can link to should a charitable donation be within your means.  There are also plenty of other ways to show support in the activities listed below "Disaster Relief Projects" - just a click away!
Wanna know more?
If you or any community groups are interested in learning more about the story behind this event and it's message (oh, and it -is-a-good one!) - please contact me using the "contact us" tab at the top of this page, or just send me a mail at walkforjapan@hotmail.com .  I would be happy to entertain an audience of any age and any size with a presentation!  

Whachagonna do?
And if you've read this far, then you've already demonstrated a keen enough interest to sink your teeth into what comes next!!  Consider the following:

I am just an average Canadian.  This blog is the story of something I did for a cause I feel strongly about.  What about you?  What do you feel strongly about? There is no cause too little or too big, and likewise, no effort you make is too little or too big.  As much as I hope that this event might send a loud message of support and compassion for those struggling in Japan to "Gambaro!" or "Stay Strong!", I also hope that it stands as an example of taking positive action for something you believe in!

Well worth checking out!
Now, if you've read this far - you deserve a real treat!!:

For an incredibly well spoken commentary on the disaster in Japan, have a look at Rex Murphy on The National:  Click here!

NHK (Japan's main broadcasting corporation) made an amazing documentary about the disaster called "Surviving the Tsunami".  Click here to watch it!!

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！！