[Translation from Japanese to English ] In March 2011, my family members became nuclear refugees in the aftermath of ...

Original text

2011年3月の東日本大震災で家族が原発避難民となりました。
地震発生後、着の身着のままで逃げて、避難所を転々とし、 ようやく避難先が落ち着いたころには、大切にしてきたものは遠い自宅に置き去り。
やっと帰れることになった最初の一時帰宅、本当に大切なものだけ小さい袋に持ち帰りました。
その中に私の成人式の着物や祖母の想い出の指輪があり、改めて両親の愛情や家族の絆に心から感謝しました。

"自分にとって、人生にとって、大切なものって何だろう"
震災以来、毎日考えるようになりました。

Translation / English

In March 2011, my family members became nuclear refugees in the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake.
After the earthquake, we escaped with only clothes we wore, moved from one shelter to another, and left every valuable possession in our home faraway when we settled finally.
When we were returned to our home temporarily, we gathered our essential belongings in small bags.
In the bag I included my kimono for the coming-of-age ceremony and my grandmother´s keepsake ring. I felt grateful for my parents´ love and our family’s bond.

Since the quake, I have started asking myself the following question:
What are important things in my life?

Translation / English

In March 2011, after the Great East Japan Earthquake, many familes had become nuclear power plant refugees.
After the earthquake, and after wandering shelters and fleeing with only the clothes on our backs, by the time we refugees had settled, all valueables in our homes had been left far behind.
Then after finally returning home, truly important things were only brought back in small bags.
There is a circle of memories of my grandmother and of my coming-of-age ceremony kimono, but I was truly grateful again for the love of my parents and of my family ties.

"What things do I feel are important for myself and for my life?"
Since the earthquake, I began to think about this every day.