'Lonely' boy, 9, reunited with cousin

[Kablooie]

Source: Asahi Shinbun

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi Prefecture - His image and handmade sign seeking information on his family and relatives drew sympathy from not only those in evacuation centers, but from concerned people across the nation and beyond.

On Thursday, 9-year-old Toshihito Aisawa came one step closer to fulfilling his goal of finding family members.

Toshihito's father Kazuyuki, mother Noriko, grandmother Kyoko and two cousins, Yuna and Yuto Shima, were carried away by the calamitous tsunami that struck this city following the March 11 magnitude-9.0 earthquake.

But on Thursday, Toshihito was reunited with Yuto, 13, who was in the same car when it was swallowed by a wall of seawater while they tried to rush to higher ground.

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On Thursday, Toshihito visited Yuto at his home. Toshihito has been staying with Mitsunari Kitahara, a 64-year-old barber acquainted with Toshihito's family.

Both boys tried to hold back tears as they called out to each other.

While efforts are continuing to find Toshihito's immediate family members, for the first time in many days the little boy appeared to regain a cheeriness that was unapparent before, as he talked about his favorite pastime, playing Nintendo DS, and how most of his games were probably washed away in the tsunami.



Read more: http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201103180206.html

[Lucinda]

1. Ahhh this is excellent news! I am sooo happy to hear this.

:)

[Dappleganger]

2. Great news!

That one made me cry--he reminded me of our youngest son so much. Hopefully there is more good news in store for him.

[Beacool]

3. Poor child.

God bless both children and all the other survivors. They have a long road ahead.

:hug:

[liberal N proud]

4. I had posted about this boy looking for his family on Friday

At least he has some family. Hope he can find his parents.

[Festivito]

13. LINK: This is will rip your heart out: Boy, 9, desperately searches for missing family

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=680117&mesg_id=680117

[Kadie]

5. .

K&R

Too much emotion to say anything.

[StClone]

8. Same here...what can you say

These little things harbor hope but overwhelming sadness pervades.

[66 dmhlt]

6. That story is a great Grin-Inducer!

[Scurrilous]

7. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Zoigal]

9. Great news. Hope there are more stories like this......z

[Redford]

10. I cannot even imagine the devastation

I hope he finds peace

[Historic NY]

11. Wonderful, these people have a long way to go.

[supernova]

12. Aww, glad he found

one family member at least. Now they can be together. I can't imagine all the awful destruction.

[Corruption Winz]

14. I read this story to my mother. Now, I need to hand her tissue paper. n/t

[xchrom]

15. I'm so glad they have each other. Nt