I'm sorry - I meant to write something up earlier but the day hasn't gone as planned.
I drove to my hometown of Christchurch (New Zealand) this morning to take my youngest to a specialist appointment at the hospital. The trip went quicker than I expected (it's a 2 hour drive) and so we got there early. Happily we were seen early and everything went really well so we got to leave early.
I stopped at my favourite health food store to get some lunch - so pleased that it had reopened again after significant damage from the earthquake that had hit in September last year. Then my twins and I jumped in the car and headed for home. Halfway there, my phone started going crazy. There'd been another earthquake - this time devastating.
The hospital was temporarily evacuated. That health food store no longer exists. It's just rubble. I sit and wonder about the lovely woman who served me - and hope she is okay. Hope they're all okay. But many aren't. As I write this, the death toll in the city stands at 65 and is expected to rise. They fear hundreds are trapped. And I can't believe how lucky I was - that we'd left earlier than planned, that all my family members and closest friends are accounted for. And my heart just breaks for those waiting for news. I can't imagine the fear. And my heart aches for our beautiful city.
I'm sorry this isn't a very joyous post. But tonight? Hold your loved ones close. I will be.
19 comments:
This is such a terrible tragedy I am glad you and your family are ok , and my heart goes out to all involved may God guide them all through this terrible time !
Natalie, so glad you and your family and friends are safe and accounted for. Such a huge tragedy! My thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders.
big hugs to you,
Lee
Thanks Desere and Lee - it really is a terrible day. I'm so thankful my family are all okay but it's just so sad for so many. I really do appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Natalie - I am som glad and yet so terribly sad to read your post. I'm so glad to know that you and your twins are safe and you were not affected by the terrible earthnquate - but I am so so sad as I have been ever since I first heard the news that this has happened. I have so many friends in NZ and my husband and I had such a wonderful time when we visited some years back. My heart aches for the loss of life and the devastation.
Sending you and everyone I know loving thoughts, prayers and hugs
Kate
Natalie, When I read about this in the news late last night my first thought was for all the authors in the area. I'm so glad that you are safe but so unhappy that others are not. The few pictures of the scene are devastating.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Natalie, so glad to know you and your family are safe. What has happened is heart breaking. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. You are right, we need to hold our loved ones close because we never know what the next minute will bring. Take care.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I'm glad you were not there and are safe and i too feel so bad for all of those who were there and could be trapped or have lost their life. it's such a horrible tragedy.
I have been following the news on this and my heart goes out to all of the people effected by the quake.
Natalie, I certainly will hold my loved ones close tonight.
I am so glad you are OK. I'll be praying for those people who weren't so lucky to excape the earthquake
Hi NAtalie,
When I saw the news on TV, the devastation caused by the earthquake is heart-breaking. At present Our Country is trying to account for all our citizens living in Chrischurch. I personally knew of few people who lived there.
I'm so glad you and your family is Okay. Our prayers and thoughts to all affected people there.
I can't imagine how you all are feeling and like I said to you last night, I'm thankful you are all ok. When I heard the news on TV last night I was reading Walk on the Wild Side. I put it down and prayed and then saw your post on FB. Hoping the news is better today! xxoo
Thank you so much everyone. It is a very sad time for our community. We've got family come to us (we're further south) until things settle down. We still have our home in Christchurch - it's damaged of course (it already was from the last one) - but it is only a building. The lovely family who live in it are all okay and that is so good but it is heartbreaking to see the city I love in such a state, and the loss of life is just devastating.
So tragic to watch the devastation in Christchurch with so many lives lost. My thoughts are with you all.
Such a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch.
That's scary enough to give you gray hairs. I'm glad you and yours are ok. I can only pray for the rest.
thoughts and prayers for all, so awful. Good to hear you are okay.
Thank God that you and your twins
are alright!
Prayers, positive thoughts, and
lots of hugs are sent to you and
all your countrymen!!!
Pat Cochran
I am so happy that you and your family are safe and sound! I heard about it on the news. I definitely will be holding my family close and praying for all of those who lost loved ones in the earthquake.
So very sorry to hear and see the devastation in New Zealand. I am glad you are safe, Natalie, but how tragic for those who are missing. I can't believe how life can change so quickly. My thoughts are with you all.
Post a Comment