Dear John,

Thank you for writing back. I am from the Philippines. My sister was still a Filipino citizen at the time of her death although her husband and three kids were Japanese nationals.During their supposedly three-days vacation in Phuket, they stayed in Patong City Hotel. Had they been there when the tsunami struck, they would probably have survived. We were informed that at around 7 a.m. on that fateful day of December 26, they rented a minivan to bring them to Khao Lak. The mangled vehicle was later found very near the beach there (Phangga?). Japanese experts told us they were in transit when the tsunami stuck.

Possible scenarios of their horrific death are being played repeatedly in my mind.The kids were very young: 7 yrs.old, 5, and the youngest, only 3 mos. old. The thought of my sister and her husband struggling to save the children and themselves at the same time, all in futility, is truly agonizing. I am a mother of 3 young kids.Now and then, I cry unstoppably.

I fervently wish for healing of all those suffering.In August, when I was there in Phuket last, I saw establishments being rebuilt. Business will probably be back on its feet soon. It will take longer for people to forget.

Thanks, John, and God bless you,

esmenne