The same way we can tell you're an @!$%#. Inference.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Maybe you should give up huffing spray paint.

Clearly he's smart. A 9 year old kid, who, for all he knows, has lost his entire family, is taking rational, grownup steps to find them. I'd call that smart.

Intelligence often shines through a person's reactions in a crisis. This boy is remaining calm and doggedly and methodically pursuing his search through the shelters. That indicates intelligence.

thrown: Looks like a smart brave little guy to me.. Imagine a kid here looking... Imagine him walking through a shelter with a sign in each hand. Not crying, not whaling, falling apart or showing signs of hopelessness. Just seeking information for the whereabouts of his family. Yeah, I'm sure a 9 yo American kid would handle it the exact same same way... In your dreams.

THE SAME WAY WE CAN TELL THAT YOU... (tbrown-3177959) ....ARE JUST A PIECE OF @!$%#, THAT SOME HOW MANAGE TO LOOK HUMAN............what kind of comment is that? YOU BRAINLESS!

This little boys story shows an incredible strength of spirit. A hope for tomorrow. I will always remember his words................."I Will Come Again Tomorrow." God Bless him.

Nobody should explain to this idiot how we can tell if the boy is smart, because obviously the idiot is not.

It breaks my heart to read a story like this! I was once separated from my own family on a camping expedition when I too was 9 years old. My ordeal lasted only part of a day but I will admit that I cried like a baby from fear of the unknown.

tbrown-3177959, I can tell you are a useless waste of oxygen just from reading your post. As for the boy, he is a brave soul and very smart to make signs and continue asking about his family. I know his parents will be proud once they are reunited!

I pray for this child and all of the others that maybe missing their loved ones. This is a horrible disaster and I hope that we will wake up and smell the roses.

Of course, all of you know you have given tbrown just what he wants, attention, nasty reaction, a stirring of the pot. Until people learn to stop feeding the trolls, they'll never go away.

What a touching story, I hope he finds some type of closure soon. The thought of just not knowing is bad enough, not to mention being only 9 years old and alone in such devastation. The fact that he hasn't given up looking, is a testament to the human spirit. What's sad, is some people will never understand or even think about this. tbrown..........intelligence has nothing to do with it, although this little guy clearly is. It is you I pity. You will probably never get it. This little boy will and already has.

Yeah, I'm sure a 9 yo American kid would handle it the exact same same way... In your dreams.

Your post is as bad as browns. There are a lot of 9 year old American's and I am sure some of them are intelligent in the face of disaster.

This is indeed a story of a little boy with (as Patty DuPont put it), an incredible strength of spirit and hope for tomorrow - very poignant and touching. I echo the comments of all above except tbrown-3177959, who should go back to his mother's basement and perhaps pay her some money for the internet bill.

I'm happy he's been reunited with one of his cousins--and I am very happy that a family friend has taken it upon himself to care for him.

I surely hope he finds the rest of his family and that everyone is well...

Stories like this one make me wonder how some of you can be so callous. I am crying reading this. I have a niece who will be 9 on Sunday. I can not imagine her going through this.

Praise the Lord that he found his cousin and a family friend is taking care of him. I pray that he finds his mom and dad VERY SOON.

I also pray that the negative nasty people who post on Newsvine become enlightened that we are ALL HUMAN BEINGS ON THIS PLANET AND WE NEED TO LOVE EACH OTHER.

I agree, Karen!

Amen Karen in L.A. I am a Los Angeles native myself being born and raised there, I find it kind of Ironic that out of those that seem to have empathy and show kindness for his/her fellow man/woman, many I have come to realize are from the southern Calif area. I haved lived in the state of Utah ever since leaving L.A. and have never felt like people (even here in the Mormon capital of the world) have empathy anymore. Growing up in so. Cal, I learned how to Live and let live, more so than anywhere else I have been. Wonder whats up with that? My heart goes out to this young man, he's growing up faster than he should have ever had to. And also to the rest of the country of Japan. I was fortunate enough to spend some time there while stationed in South Korea 82-83, and the people were very friendly. It saddens me to see such devastation to human life and those left to pick up the pieces like this little boy. How anyone cannot feel for these people is way beyond my comprehension, thank goodness! Peace all...............

Please, let's keep positive interest in this little boy's story alive. Does anyone know the best way to help him? Contact Red Cross, state Congressman, State Department, U.S, Embassy...?

Ditto, Karen!

You can donate to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army-- that will help get the supplies they need, and help people find each other.

Why do so many of you pray to a God who has let this happen in the first place?

I just don't understand.

God did not make this happen! Not in any way. The way us humans treat, or rather abuse the world that we live in has had a hand in this awful event as well as nature itself. God doesn't kill innocent people for any reason. This is definately a tragedy but instead of trying to place blame - do something positive with your own two hands to try and make things better.

I'm sorry Phil. It IS hard to understand. I have trouble too. But He is in charge, whether anybody likes it or not. I follow Him though, still, because He is literally all I have and the only thing left that I trust. May God Bless you with understanding. Peace.

GOD is not the one that let this happen.....satan comes to kill, steal and destroy. If you don't understand, read your BIBLE.

My heart goes out to this young boy. My prayers are with him!!

Phil who do you cry to when you are in pain? Or do you just like to kick people when they are down?

Hey....Happygrandma.....why is Phil an idiot? He is posing a good question. Do you have any answer to his question?

There is no God that I know of that told these people to live on fault lines, build nuclear plants in areas known for earthquakes. The same is true of those who live on the American coasts and build (and re-build) their homes every time there is a huricane. These are choices that people make.

If you are searching for God (which I don't think you are), just walk outside on a beautiful spring day when the first birds of the season are singing. Until someone can prove that wasn't created by some higher power, the I'm going to believe it was God.

Phil, there are so many things in life that we believe because of faith when there is no defiitive proof. It is that faith that helps to lift people up and even accept the inevitable. I can tell you that my mother's faith in God held strong to the end, and that her faith and ours gave us the strenth to let her go. We accepted the inevitable, knowing that wherever her next journey was going to take her, she would go without the ravages of ovarian cancer.

I am a quiet christian. I don't believe in professing my faith from the mountain-tops. I don't wear a sandwich-board sign that says, "I am a christian." I don't try to convert other people. But I do believe that onethose nights when I can't sleep, counting sheep is the wrong thing to do. I should be talking to the shepherd instead. Some people choose to talk to themselves, and others choose to quietly talk with God. Even my 4th grade son told me quietly that he talks to Oma (my mother) at night before he goes to bed. I wouldn't ask him what they talk about because that's between the two of them, but I did ask if she ever answers him and his response was that sometimes she tells him what he already knows.

Because WE believe in something bigger than YOU! WE know that even though there is a major catastrophe, it is NOT because of OUR beliefs, but because of YOUR disbelief, that He seems "non-existant".

SovietRussia- I would rather look like an idiot, than be proven one, but I'm sure you are used to that.

God nor Satan has a hand in what happened and is happening the blame needs to be directed to where it belongs. The earth, it is a cellular structure and as such will continue to change. Neither God nor Satan can change physics. The bible is full of contractions. My heart goes out all people not just whom have the same beliefs as myself.

If a nonbeliever asks a question like Phil did -- a question that is neither hostile nor cruel -- and some of you respond by calling him an idiot... what conclusion should he draw about believers? Makes me sad, and ashamed.

Phil, I don't get it either, and still I pray.

Ummm... Proven. That has happened many times before. Such as in the bible, human hands cannot convert the words of god... Yah, u have the bible, and u have ur preachers... Then there's the fact that the time when the religion was created, u know how much they knew about the world cuz they only thought it was only 6,000 years old, and it's still in the bible today... U'd think they'd at least TRY to change it, but apparently not cuz they know that the people they control are already blind and just look at it like nothing's wrong... You, sir, have been a proven "idiot." People need to step away from their beliefs cuz they only hold them down. t/ake action into your own hands. And don't say you reason for something happening is "god made it that way." No, a big thing with humanity is that it is intigued by how the world works. Don't just say a simple answer, go out there and find it like we have been for our existence... This builds progress, and humanity is progressing quite well I might add. The world is taking more of a blind eye to religion because it is ilogical, and logic makes the world turn. People are getting smarter, not dumber. "Thank god." It's ironic

Phil- people pray because sometimes that is all they have, the faith that if they send these prayers up to heaven in all this disaster that some miracles will happen and their prayers will be answered. I don't expect all my prayers to be answered because the answer could not be yes to every single answer but hopefully yes to some.

I would rather believe in God, which I do and in the end be wrong , then not believe in Him and in the end be wrong. (I don't think i am wrong though, I know he exists)

It does take a lot of Faith though, but for me and many others it is worth it, my belief and faith in the Lord gives me a peaceful , happy , joy. . So I will keep praying for things like this sweet little boy and hope that he finds his family, it certainly can't hurt.

I hope you join me in praying for him , but if you can't that is OK too. I respect your choice not too and I hope you respect mine to pray for these people of Japan.

One more thing, the truth is along with my prayers I wish I could jump on a plane to japan and leave this little cubicle and really help these people or find that little boy and hold his hand while he searchs for answers to what happened to his family but I can't. So all my love and prayers go out to him and the others like him.

Whether or not there is a God is not really relivent. Why don't you put your energy towards helping this young child find his family. Because he is going to need a lot of love and assistance if he can't find them.

Dachs/Phil: Both very different, but very thoughful posts, thank you. Dachs, so sorry for your loss. I've been on a similar journey with a loved one.

This story, one of a child searching for his family and the story of the devoted dog, who would not leave his injured friend (both subsequently rescued) overwhelmed me. I think about how we, here in our homes, could suddenly face devastation, exposure to the elements, lack of food & water. I look at my neighbors and ask how we would fare without electricity, fuel... not well. I want to help in whatever way I can because the Japanese are hurting and hungry and cold and that breaks my heart.

@phil I don't get it either. all i can say is i hope he finds them and things get better.

@happygrandma how does his comment make him an idoit, maybe your the idoit.

I think the main point of the story got missed.. it is not about God or Satin.. It is about a little boy who lost his family.. and yes I will pray he finds them safe..as it is my right to pray it is your right to not pray..

I dont have a problem with phil & Don not believing in God....That is there choice....It's his ridiculing of the people that do believe in God that i have a problem with....Thats what makes you both morons.....

The tsunami and other disasters happen because of the laws of science and the laws of nature, some influenced by man's misuse and others, not. The way we handle misfortune and tragedy is related to our faith or lack of it. Instead of blaming God or doubting His existence, people should hope this child and others in his situation will find loving homes with new families. People should hope that, in doing so, such children will find comfort, hope, and strength to become adults of whom their biological families would be proud.

@ tbrown, soviet russia, & Don. You have your opinions, I would just hate to be you when judgement days comes. just saying

to Dachs - thank you for one of the most powerful messages I have heard in a long time and the timing in my life perfect. I believe anyone's relationship iwth God is a very personal thing. but God has a way of having his message heard through anyone -even a stranger

Soviet, you are right. We should stop talking and start doing. Funny thing is, that is what God calls us to do every day.

Bad things happen, sometimes to good people. Believing in God or a god does not keep this from happening. Living in a safer area might have helped, but there is no place that is totally "safe" on this planet.

It would probably help to believe in God if you are working at that nuclear power plant right now, for obvious reasons. A lot of the workers at Chernobyl had to know that they were not going to make it either. I've always wondered, since the Soviet Union was officially athiest, some of these fellows probably were also. To me, that's the definition of bravery. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others all believe they have something to look forward to; but how do you get an athiest to sign up for a suicide mission?

Hmmm, boy did I open a can of worms. however to all of you who responded thank you, I only wish to respond to one post:

Shaking my head-2479300

Phil who do you cry to when you are in pain?

After loosing my wife of 19 year to brain, bone and lung cancer I did not shed one tear for her, while she was alive & in such great pain, yes, I cried like a baby because I could not stop it. I cried for my daughters who lost their mother at such a tender age.

I shed not a tear for me, as I had to be strong for my daughters.

To a God who took my wife at 43 years old I have no time or patience, or understanding I look round this world and see such hatred, such anger, such greed, I see a baby dying of a disease, I see a 9 year old who has lost his parent and is now alone.

No, a God, a benevolent, forgiving god would not do such things.

However, to you out there that believe with such fervor and passion, in a belief of your god: I salute you. For you may be stronger than I.

slmrdl said:

"The bible is full of contractions."

Name three that aren't explainable by copyist error/rounding error (700 vs. 7000, etc.). I'm sure it won't take much time at all since, as you say, it's full of contradictions.

I think of it like this. If you are standing in front of an oncoming train. Stop. And only pray to god that the train stops..you have a problem.

If you run your butt off and pray to god that your legs move fast. What's the harm?

Folks find comfort, power, or change in couch cushions when they are broke, "praying" or within themselves. For some prayer is asking for help from a greater power and sometimes it's asking for the power within.

I cry tears of blood for this young boy, he and others like him should be told that people care.

As for weither there is a God or not and if a God could let this happen, it has happened so be it.

Lets get on with the task at hand and help do what we can.

Each one of us has people that we care for and some of us have people that we could give a good @!$%# for.

That is the world we live in and things happen.

Me , my famly comes first, then, well I can't fix all the worlds problems, but I try in my best way.

As I said there are people and peoples that can rot and choke in their vomet.

Thats the way it is, but I feel for this young lad and all like him, he is smart and he cares.

Phil, I hate to hear about your wife. You're probably sick of hearing that and don't want any sympathy, but unfortunately that happens way too often.

I hope they do a follow up story on this little guy finding his relatives,bless him.

Human iniquities do not affect tectonic plate movement, people. Is it really that difficult of a concept to grasp that this is just the nature of our planet? This has nothing to do with God, or Satan, or pollution, or global warming.

....That being said, my heart breaks for this brave young man and I hope he finds his family soon.

However, to you out there that believe with such fervor and passion, in a belief of your god: I salute you. For you may be stronger than I.

Phil.

Obviously. Sorry to hear about your wife but God did not take her. People die because of sin and not everyone is promised to live to 89 years old. I dont pray often myself but I do believe in something/someone bigger. The Earth and universe are too highly organized to be a big cosmic accident.

Two sexes to continue, air to breath, an ozone layer to protect us from the sun, rain for water, etc.

Blaming God for bad things is blamming out of ignorance.

IF you dont want to believe then fine, but dont attack others who do.

Never put GODS name in your mouth when you talk about disasters.We have done enough to this planet that of course it is going to scream out sometime.Of course you are probably the kind of person whom injures himself doing something stupid and then yells out GODS name in vain.When you see something bad about to happen like maybe a car coming through a light right at you whats the first thing you think oh GOD. the end.

I'm with Phil...how come it's only the so called "god believers" that are nasty? How can you thank a god you are alive when he( if he existed) is the one that caused the devistation. The god-lovers are the intolerant ones. Every one is entitled to their own opinion, you believe in god, I don't. I don't mock you,. don't mock me!

Phil poses a good question and you guys call him an idiot etc?!? If you believe in god, which it seems you all do, respect his words and not judge anyone!!! People say this everyday "God has planned everything" or "Gods plan" well if that is true, this must have been in his plan?!? Everyone here speaks of faith, but you have NO clue on how to live in faith!!! If you are truely a man/woman of god you would not be here judging but informing or educating!!!

Phil and Dach, my condolences for the losses you and your families have suffered, and my apologies for the rudeness to which you've been subjected to for your questions. You deserved real answers not snarky insults. Some people are too small-minded to consider differing views or take the time to answer difficult questions. Shame on those of you who have made such insulting responses - you missed a God-given opportunity to show your fellow man some of His love and compassion.

I believe in the Creator. No I can't prove He definitely exists anymore than it can be definitely proved He doesn't. The relationship is intrinsic and therefore private and personal. But I believe.

As for disasters, the Creator established naturals laws by which the universe operates. There are earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, floods, wildfires, the occasional meteorite, and diseases. There are human components in these - where we choose to live, the technologies we use, our use/abuse of the land and resources, etc. Then there are the man-made disasters - wars, oppression, genocide, pollution, famine, poverty, and diseases or birth defects caused by exposure to chemicals and radiation.

The traditions of my people hold that life is a gift from the Creator. Everything in life - good or bad, abundance or want, triumph or failure, joy or sorrow - comes with an obligation to keep it in balance. No life isn't fair, and wasn't meant to be. But how we deal with it and with each other is up to us. And the consequences of our thoughts, words, and actions...or lack thereof...will be ours to bear.

Well, I tell you this. I do believe in god. Now with that said, I would rather believe in god and die to find the lord, than not believe, die and get to heaven and find out that there is one!! @#%&zzxxx!! a little late to find him now!! would you say!!

Phil-673730, We live on a live planet. Because it is live things will change, shift, belch, etc. If the planet was dead we would not be alive. God or God particle? Does it matter? Does God have to be an old man with a balding head and graying beard walking with a staff to hold him up? If it turns out God is nothing more than a celestial light that emits sounds that our ears will hear as the greatest music ever, will it make me love God less?

I wonder what this little boy would think if he knew that dozens of people, upon reading his story, chose to argue and slam each other about religion instead of exhibiting any concern or care for what he is experiencing.

I wonder, if there is a higher power, what it thinks of that same exact thing.

Phil... I'm sorry for your loss and the pain you and your family has had to indure... I have to tell you this! God loves you and all His children on this Earth! The moment sin entered this world (b/c of Satan's decieving nature), death was the price humanity must endure. It was not God's choice for us to die, but it was His choice not to destroy us because we sinned. He loved us so much that He gave us a choice; to choose life with Him or death . When we die, we sleep until His second coming...

Everyday we live in Faith... When we go to sleep, we have faith that we will wake up in the morning to see another day, when we go to school, work, anywhere... we have faith we will get there in one piece. Without faith we would live in fear! I've become dependant on my Father in Heaven... it's made me a better person as long as I put Him first in my life. This has worked for me and when I do go thru hard times... I only see how merciful He has been to me... for example, when my daddy died and i was only 13 yrs of age... I could be angry at God for taking him away but instead I'm thankful I had a father that loved me. My dad's lifestyle was not a good one either, he drank too much and didn't take care of his body. Although I had him for a short time, I need to realize that some people never even get to meet their dad, or even have a relationship with them. I am blessed..

Yes, your wife died at a young age and it was painful... but she got to have daughters who she loved and adored, and a husband who stood by her in her time of need. If we dwell on the bad times we will be miserable. Look at the good times and live to enjoy your time with your family. Imagine if she'd never married you, she may have been alone during this time. I have the faith that I will meet my daddy again, and no one can take that away from me. I will keep you and your girls in my prayers, sometimes WE don't have the faith and trust in God, but others can pray for us in a time of need.

PS: I do apologize for my fellow Christians who called you names... This is not the way to show God's love that works in us.

Seriously people??

I have never seen a more distasteful group of posters.

Whether you do or do not beleive in God is no ones business but their own. To point and moch those who believ is as sad as those who point back and say those who dont believe are sinners and will die.

Religion is very personal and in my opinion should remain that way. Yes, there is freedom of speech and yes there is freedom of religion bur more often than not when combined it is volatil.

Simply put, the story is about a 9 yo boy who as lost his entire family during what is yeat another natural disaster. The Nuclear power plant is only a small portion of the problems Japan has endured and will endure for years to come.

In close, I hope... This little bot finds his family and if not, I hope he is able to come to grips with his loss and moves on and is able to find shelter with someone that is able and prepared to work with a small boy who has suffered so.

The rest of you finger pointers should just sit quietly and like your God teaches you, try some understanding and forgiveness.

Phil,

I am sorry to hear about your wife, and I do pray that God does reach out to you and heals your heart and helps you to understand.

For those of you so called Christians that want to call him an idiot, I think you need to start praying for your soul and start reading your bible again because this is NOT what GOOD Christians are suppose to do. I am ashamed of each and everyone of you that called this man an idiot, and you just proved what is wrong with organised religion today. Like I said start reading your bible again, talk to your pastor, and if he doesn't correct your non-Christian thinking than you need tro find another church.

My goodness, such love and such fear and judgement all in one post. First off.. My heart undoubtedly goes out to this boy and I do pray he finds his family. If I had the ability to help, I most certainly would.

I'm a Christian and that will never change, but I guess I was raised different. A true God-fearing person wouldn't call anyone an idiot or a moron for their beliefs or non-beliefs. I don't push my faith on anyone, and I most certainly don't judge them or call them names when they question who I believe in. For those of you who have, I challenge you to find the true meaning of your religion. We are called upon by the Lord to mold ourselves in His image. Help all who need help, spread love, not hatred. When we are told to spread love, there is nowhere I've read in the Bible that says we exclude those who do not share our beliefs. You hypocritical believers need to take a look at what you've posted and pray, as I will pray for you. You are passing judgement on someone, that is not your job. Your job is to pray that our Lord can bless this person, whether said person chooses to accept it or not. My Grandmother always told me, when you pass judgement on others, you will risk your own final judgement. Please think of this statement. Spread compassion and love, not venom and hatred.

What happened is a tragedy, whether by god, man or science. We each have our own beliefs/opinions, religious or not. I do not judge you as I hope you do not judge me for what I have to say. I have always believed that we were born to die and began to die upon taking our first breath. Life is life. Should we leave this life by illness, accident, tragedy etc., there will always be someone left behind wanting answers and grieving. Each one of us tend to deal with this process differently. This brave young boy is dealing with this best way he knows how by searching for his family and not giving up. As are all of those who were affected by the earthquake/tsunami. My heart goes out to this boy and all the citizens of Japan. I hope that those missing family members of all affected are found. If not, may they have the strength to continue their own life and bring honor to those they have lost.

Where else am I to put my hope? Certainly not in mankind or his technology. I pray for you, Phil, that God will touch your heart and give you the answers you need to make sense of this.

Phil,

That's why they call it Faith. I hope you find it someday... God Bless!

Phil,

Thank you for your first question and your subsequent response to "who do you cry to when you are in pain?" I have asked the question you posed many, many, many times. It saddens me greatly that people become so defensive/offensive when someone asks a question like yours.

I'm sincerely sorry for your family's loss. I haven't lost a loved one through illness like you did, but I have experienced my own loss. When I was 17 years old, my father was killed on Sept. 11th in the first tower of the World Trade Center. He worked on the 103rd floor, which was above the point of impact; in other words, he was trapped alive and it's likely that he suffered immensely before he died. My world crumbled to pieces on that day. It was very traumatic, I empathize for these people in Japan in a different way because of my experiences.I was brutal making his "missing" flyer, calling the hospitals and the morgues looking for him, to have him "missing" for weeks before being considered a casualty. I became so incredibly angry that God would allow such a thing to happen. Yet, in my humanness and frail state, I also kept reaching out to God, cause I simply didn't know what else to do. I had no "safety net" so to speak because my Dad was that safety net in my life. It was very difficult to feel that torn - It was very confusing.

This dislike/need/confusion went on for years... I have since worked through that pain, anger, and distrust, which is not my point or purpose of responding to your comment. I think that we (the majority) keep reaching out to God after such events though, because we simply don't know what else to do. Because we're hoping that something, anything will give us or someone else a "miracle". As humans we are capable of doing horrific things, but we are also capable of beauty and kindness. I feel so powerless when disaster happens (regardless of the type) and I feel so incredibly sad for the people that go through it. It makes my heart ache for them. If I pray, its because I'm hoping that something, anything can or will give those that are suffering a "miracle".Even if that "miracle" is just the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I feel so powerless in those moments. I wish you and your family well, I'm sorry for your loss.

Those are my thoughts and my own experience. Anyone that wants to criticize it can do so, but you simply never know what you'll do or feel, until you've been in someone else's shoes. Rather than judging them for their beliefs, let's try to accept each other as we are and allow one another to grow in whatever way we need to.

I consider myself Christian but I am not affiliated with any specific religion because there are hypocritical elements in all of them, and I don't try to force my personal beliefs on others. Regardless, one thing I have seen that is constant is do not judge others for their personal beliefs.

This situation was caused by Nature, not any kind of divine being. Any 'miracles' in this will be from human actions, and I guarantee the military, rescue workers, and volunteers will come from every religion. With something like this, it is humanity that makes a difference, not religion.

God is Love, no matter what name you choose to call Him/Her, and I find it very vain to even call God by a human pronoun. God is so much larger than any of us can even begin to imagine or define. God does not punish or inflict horrors on us He (? - for lack of a better word) does not interfere, but allows us to create our own experiences, and reap the rewards or consequences of our actions, both singularly and collectively. God is not destroying our planet, we are, and a large part of that is because we keep forcing our own human interpretations of God on others. I believe in all religions, and I believe in none. God unites. God is One. When we use God to beat others, it is pure hubris to believe that we can even begin to know the mind of God. Whether you believe or not does not determine if you are "good" or "evil", it's how you treat other people. And when you treat them with disrespect -- especially in the name of "God" -- you're serving the opposite of everything he stands for. And this chat is completely disrespecting the 9-year-old boy who is at the heart of this matter. He is a child desperately searching for his family and needs our prayers, empathy or whatever form we personally choose to express our compassion. Belief in God is not a prerequisite for caring, and unfortunately all too often it is used to commit horrendous crimes. Look at the war we're in the middle of now, and how many wars forcing our "Godly" views on others has caused. I can't even imagine having to go through what he is right now, and pray to whatever higher power is out there that I never have to. Send him your positive thoughts in whatever form they are instead of fighting with each other and pouring more negative energy into an already impossible situation.

Phil and Anna - I am sorry for your losses. It was the worst day in my life when my father died. Like Anna, my father died without warning or expectation. I had spoken to him 2 days before he passed.

Anna, I am so sorry that you had to wonder for days and weeks what happened to your dad. It must have been super painful for you. I can only imagine. At least I knew what happened to mine.

Everyone has their own way to handle grief. My "god" is a supreme energy source (because per the laws of physics, energy can not be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred) and I accept that things happen without any rhyme or reason. I still pray - all day - every day - to this supreme energy source because it is a source of comfort for me. I thank this god for giving me a roof over my head and food on my table, among many other things. I even pray thanks for sunny days.

When I am praying, I feel I am sending positive energy into the planet. I have been praying every day for God to send angels to the engineers in Japan who are working on the nuclear reactors.

Each of us have our own way to handle grief and I hope that Phil finds a way to express his emotions over his loss. Unfortunately, keeping emotions in check always causes major distress to a person's health and pysche.

And there is no such thing as closure. I still miss my father EVERY DAY and it has been over 10 years since his passing. He died just before Anna's father. It's just easier to deal with the days over time.

It hurts my heart. I pray that he finds some member of his family. Such determination is admirable in one so young. With everything so disrupted, even care of little ones is a problem. This tragedy is only the beginning of sorrows for our world. Sad isn't it?

Ah yes, the almighty "they". No electricity, no roads left. Exactly what should "they" do? They have to rebuild but it will obviously take a lot of time to do that. In the mean time, centers like this have been set up exactly for this reason and old technology white boards are being used to connect people with each other.

Google has set up a way to connect people with each other but without power in the affected areas, that's not likely to help much.

Think about how strong his people taught him to be. Instead of standing somewhere screaming for someone to take care of him, he is doing all he can. So many here could learn from him, but they probably won't.

You people just can't go through a catastrophe without your veiled Katrina references, can you? Different people, different culture, different history; ergo, different reaction.

Wow dclart.. that is a big assumption isn't it.. but if you want to go there...

I guess Katrina looks kind of mild compared to the level of destruction, the number of deaths, the wide spread damage, the economic toll, AND the enviromental catastrophe in the making?

And here this mature and smart young man isn't waiting for someone to come save him. He is taking it upon himself (like his culture has taught him) to find his family. This culture has not demanded nor does it expect any government to save them. They are a self sufficient, hard working, and honorable culture. Which is one reason why there hasn't been rioting, looting, murder, and theft all in the name of self survival...

I spent one of the best weeks of my life in Japan and I can assure you, these people will rebound and they will survive this, just like the did from the WW2 bombings.

Blessings to this young man, may he find all that he is looking for and all that he needs.

Who on here said anthing about Katrina?

Good thought! Japan is now experiencing 500 Katrinas..... and counting.

Yeah, keep praying...now THERE's a better system! [rolls eyes]

So, by definition, ihatehate, you are a hypocrite. [rolls eyes]

I pray he finds his family, too. What a brave little boy. I feel terrible he has to go through this alone.

Paddleboard - they are and have been accepting all help that has been offered. At no time did their pride stand in the way of assistance for their people. The need is so great that all help seems minimal.

This should never be about who believes what or who doesn't.. although some message board trolls want to always infuse hate and debate into everything. This is about a 9 yr old little boy who is dealing with the most traumatic thing any child could imagine.. and no matter what a person's faith, belief, politics, nationality, etc.. there is a universal understanding that THIS is the face of tragedy.

Half a world away all we can send are prayers, thoughts, hopes, and resources. We can't send this child what he needs most.. and so we feel helpless, too.

You said it all in few short words Moxie-775646, Thankyou! Feel sorry too for all these heartless comments on here arguing about religion and such. No empathy whatsoever, sick people!

I see my own two year old in that kid's eyes - the very thought of her being alone like this guy (yeah, I know he's nine, but...) absolutely rips my heart out and kicks it around the room. Honestly, I would have read this story with an entirely different view if I wasn't a relatively new parent and I hate to say it but because of our so-called day-to-day demands it wouldn't have mattered as much - she's brought a ton of much-needed humanity into my life and I will definitely be thinking of this kid in the days to come and hoping that he finds his family.

Bless his sweet heart. The thought of the lost kids has been keeping me up at night. I think of my 3 and 6 year olds.

Really? You're going to make the "depend on the government" argument in the wake of such a tragedy?

Shame. On. You.

Take the politics out of this, you scum. IT'S A 9 YEAR OLD. We tell children to ask for help from an adult when something like this happens.

That little boy has no choice but to do this. Don't you think he would like to lay there and cry? I would. He doesn't have the choice to ask for help, he knows he only has himself to depend on. He should be allowed to cry!

Buckeye - what an idiotic post. You have no idea of the determination of someone during a tragedy. Perhaps we would find you in a fetal position somewhere but you clearly don't speak for everyone. Go away!

Acidrain, that was really uncalled-for. Buckeye did not say that this poor little boy should depend on the government; the comment was that so many people would do just that. I agree that some would, but i truly believe that many of us are tougher than we appear to be. I think that we have an inner core that can handle adversity that would come to the surface in such a crisis, as it did for him. He is facing his fears, his loneliness, and the pain that comes with them, one moment at a time, growing up way too soon, and I hurt for him. I hope his family is all right, but I have confidence that come what may, he will go on.

God bless him, and all the families of the victims. My heart goes out to them.

Buckeye, acidrain and terryh - exactly why the japanese culture is so far advanced compared to the infantile U.S. - we cannot even be civil when it isn't our own struggle/tragedy - so sad

Terry, what Buckeye essentially said that people who succumb to such devastating emotional trauma - losing their entire family - are weak whiners who do not deserve help because they can't help themselves. It is incredibly callous and cruel thing to say and Acidrain's comment was perfectly justified in my opinion. In fact, it wasn't nearly sharp enough.

Buckeye, you are a scumbag who lacks basic human decency and any sense of empathy. GO AWAY.

Acidrain sure chose the right screen name. Everyone I know is in awe of the strength of the Japanese people. Their example of strength is something to admire and no one can help thinking of the contrast in how people handle adversity. A lesson in life can be taken from the worst of happenings.

Gia, we got diferent impressions from what we read. You see someone belittling weakness, I see someone who admires inner strength. I see a young man who is doing the best he can during a tragedy so overwhelming that no one can get a handle on it, not even the government of his country. I also see no reason to refer to anyone as a "scumbag" on this particular vine, as yet. If Japan's leaders can't pull it together soon, that might change. The trouble is, they are too accustomed to letting the bureaucrats and zaibatsu run things.

May the Lord always have mercy on all of us who do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not compare one story to a whole population - for as many brave young children that are like him there are more that are curled in a ball with no one telling thier story - pray for them too...

He does deserve to cry and I bet he's done plenty of that. Because of his action he will feel much better about himself than if had laid down and given up. I wouldn't trade this kid for 5 of what we are raising in this country. For those of you that can't form a thought without name calling, Jimmy is waiting for you in the sand box.

Terry, you can bury your head in the sand all you want. I'm going to call out bull@!$%# political arguments by cowards when I see them.

A) Those shelters that people are staying at are provided by the government

B) The government SDF & TEPCO are fighting the nuclear disaster in Fukushima

C) It's the US government that is providing aid in the form of military assistance via the USS Ronald Reagan.

So spare us your crappy republican "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" arguments and look at reality.

Acidrain, I'm no more a Republican than you are a Martian. Another assumption on your part gone wrong. I do admire those who pull themselves up by their bootstraps- so what? Look at the life of General Daniel "Chappie" James for a great example; he is one of my heroes. Yes, the Japanese government is doing some good, but it is inherently weak, due to its history. A good example of its problems is the fact that they have gone through four Prime Ministers in less than four years, and the present one isn't looking all that good. This is his chance to shine, and I only hope he's up to the challenge. The U.S. government, on the other hand, is shining right now, extending assistance at the driop of a hat. So are our servicemembers, braving danger to help others. As a retired serviceman with twenty years and two wars under the belt, I salute them. I have no problem with asking for help when something is beyond your abilities, but I admire a person who does his best for himself. I've watched my own son do that, and he knows I admire that in him. Why does that offend you?

There is a word in Japanese, gambaru. Urban dictionary has a succinct definition of it. "Do your best in whatever state that you find yourself in. The process is most important. The outcome is irrelevant but what matters is that you did not give up! You did not quit! You did not fall short of meeting your obligation. In whatever situation that you encounter do your utmost best."

Example: Toshi@!$%#o lost his family in the tsunami and he is gambaru under the adversity.

This is the spirit and culture of the Japanese people and a little boy looking for his family.

Gambare Toshihito! Gambare Japan!

Terry:

As a retired serviceman with twenty years and two wars under the belt, I salute them. I have no problem with asking for help when something is beyond your abilities, but I admire a person who does his best for himself. I've watched my own son do that, and he knows I admire that in him. Why does that offend you?

Only the first part of that comment was directed toward you; the rest was for the cowards on this board. Nothing about that offends me. What offends me is that these trolls needs to complain about the US because a 9 year old boy is searching for his family, and it somehow speaks badly about us because we would go to the government for assistance with finding family members. Hence the reason I had to point out why their "no government help" stance is factually incorrect.

@#14.7 gia-1007883 - How exactly did you get all of that out of Buckeye's comment...? Seems awfully dramatic on your part. 0-60? Just saying...

Anyway...

This is quite a brave little kid. It's amazing to see how civilized and compassionate the Japanese people have shown themselves to be toward their fellow man over the last week. Orderly lines as people wait PATIENTLY for supplies that they know are sparse. Pulling together and helping each other out instead of pushing and trampling each other to get their things first. The overwhelming sense of calm. It's quite inspiring imo. It's sad to think how quickly a large number of natural disasters and national tragedies like this in America have devolved into people using wicked methods to take advantage of the situation for personal gain, hysteria, and general chaos before, during and after. I mean, there are people here that go from 0 - 60 when someone is 1 item over the limit in the express line at Albertsons or when someone makes a simple comment about a story in the news...(ahem #14.7) We as a nation need to re-learn how to look out for each other and pull together in times like this.

Acidrain- I owe you an apology, then, and here it is. I misunderstood your point. As I read about this young man, I remind myself that he is one of so many who desperately need help. I barely have what is needed to support my own family, but a part of me aches to be there to render aid- even though I suspect that I wouldn't have a clue as to where to start.

Me too, but knowing only about 20 words of japanese, I'd just be in the way.

You ever heard Japanese in a Southern accent? At least I'd give them something to laugh at.

I was saying the same thing last night. I would take a child or an older, eldery person... or both. I wonder if any organization has set up a resource to match people with willing families in the United States to "foster" until they can get back on their feet?

I was just saying the same thing last night! I am willing to take a child or an older person (or anyone for that matter... or two!) in. I wonder if there is a resource out there that can match families up with a foster/host family here until people can get back on their feet? It is reported that hundreds of thousands of people are in shelters that have no power or heat and surviving on one rice ball a day. I know that if this happened here where I live and a program was set up in say, Germany or somewhere overseas, I would send my daughters over there to be safe and warm until I could rebuild. People are starving and freezing to death with no place to go.

If you or anyone out reading these threads finds such a program, please post it for those of us that would like to host. Thanks! :-)

OOPS I posted twice... sorry! This is the first time I've written here and the first one didn't show up before I posted this comment. Now I can't take it or this one off! But the message is the same, but sorry it is here twice.

That would be wonderful! I would love to help but I dont really have cash to give. my husband and i have a daughter in college and a one year old son.....we have plenty of love, a small farm and house...@julietj it would be nice to be able to help with the resources we do have.

Sorry, i almost said the same exact thing at the same moment. Wierd.

Indeed. And to call such a child a "whiner" is just monstrous.

In one of the morning programs about a month ago, a three (or 4) year old saved her mother's life. I believe she got out of the car, walked through the snow, and sought help for her mother. I don't remember the details but they had both mom and daughter on the program. A couple years ago a 12 year old (maybe even a few years younger) started a program to connect with and help children in another country. Unfortunately, I also don't remember those details. But it does sting when someone on this discussion puts down American children. In most if not all cases it is not the child's inherent fault, but sometimes on their upbringing or neglect of them.

WOWED: The last I heard, Ann Curry flew to Japan immediately after the earthquake.

It was meant to be more like "hurry up and help him", as in, read this and go. But, apparently some didn't take it as it was meant. My appologies.

Yaay! I am so glad that he found someone!!

Thank you for the update, I would have been sitting here all day thinking about this poor little guy. I am glad he at least now has someone to be strong with and help him continue the search!

Thanks for the link! I'm really happy to read that he's found at least one member of his family.

Thank you for the link. I am glad the little guy found someone so that he wouldn't be completely alone. I hope he finds more of his family in the days to come.

Thanks for finding the link, acidrain! Toshihito's continuing story brought tears to my eyes and my heart. I'm very glad that Toshihito now is in the company of one of his cousins. The mention of him discussing with his cousin how he misses playing Nintendo just shows that he is still a kid craving to do normal kid things under that brave, smart, stoic exterior. I'm just sorry that many children in Japan such as Toshihito, and those in Haiti, and other disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami have been left missing family members or orphaned from unexpected tragedies at young ages. A lot of tragedies, especially in these past ten years, have forced a lot of children in this world to grow up fast with a thicker skin. I'm thinking of Toshihito and others in the same/similar situation, and I'm hoping that more family members are found alive.