There’s a story about a young Japanese girl who had leukemia. She was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped about 1 mile from her.
This girl started folding origami cranes as per the ancient Japanese story that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish. The young girl died when she was about 12 years old. Her friends and family helped finish her goal of 1000 cranes.
Romilda Ang told this story at the Pearson Resident Council as she presented her one thousand origami paper cranes held together by strings. Ro is the manager at George Pearson Centre. She starting making the cranes when she was on holidays, then her friends and family helped her reach 1000. On the underside of the crane wings are about 500 names — including residents and staff at Pearson. Residents were impressed by the effort and touched by the meaning.
In Japan, the crane is a mystical creature, like a dragon. This crane is said to live 1000 years, which is why there are so many cranes. By folding 1000 origami cranes it is said that you may receive good luck, long life or recovery from illness or injury. Having 1000 cranes hanging is certainly considered good luck. And no doubt — it takes a lot of care and effort to create such a hanging piece. And such effort is inspirational!
