In our blogging world it is easy to get caught up in paint colours and beautiful interiors but one of the amazing things about blogging is the privileged communication with readers. Besides the comments left at the end of a post, I am fortunate to receive emails from all over the world; people sharing their everyday life, their joys; their fears.
Here in Europe the news we receive via the mainstream media has a short concentration span. Something big happens on the other side of the world, we'll hear about it for the first couple of days but then it fades away.
A big thing that we're not hearing about any more is the effect of the earthquake in New Zealand. It first struck last September and we all saw the pictures, watched the videos on youtube, read the statistics then ..... then nothing! I assumed it was all over, cleared up, rebuilt, done and dusted.
May I share with you a couple of extracts from notes I have received from readers. They weren't asking for anything, they weren't whining or griping. They all just explained why blogging had become so important to them, moments of normality amidst their life that has become anything but normal.
Christchurch New Zealand has passed 10,000 earthquakes and aftershocks since 4.35am September 3rd September 2010, that makes just over 500 days:
"Life has been very frightening and pleasures of daily life have been curtailed showers now take 1 min in case another aftershock occurs – same with toilet time no one wishes to be on toilet or undressed and we all have our emergency routines - thank God for cellphones/bottled water/chemical toilets/strong torches/barbeques and the like."
"Most of us have lost treasures have traumatised children/pets and the list could go on."
"My house has sustained even more damage not much more can break now but we are still all alive "
"the place was going to be all set for an amazing day now the tree has smashed twice in the lat 24 hours so reluctant to put it back again the liquefaction surrounds the house so its gumboots in summertime - the house has split more glasses and good Christmas china smashed and the cupboards have emptied their contents over the kitchen floor yet again"
I don't think I need to say more. You are sensitive understanding people. Today I simply wanted to invite you to think about this situation as I have done. If you feel moved to help a little or a lot, this is the best place I have found. Thank you.
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How easily we forget when a crisis is no longer on the news... A thoughtful post Sharon... xv
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon for reminding us!! You are amazing!!
ReplyDeletexo Barbara
you are so right, just because its off the news, it hasnt stopped for those effected....whatever the tragedy....thanks for that
ReplyDeleteSo so true. I say it all the time, one day its all we hear so it very much stays in our conscience then voila something else happens and its gone, and I appreciate the reminder that there are still so many suffering and trying to rebuild.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful post dahhling! thank you for sharing...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for making us stop and think...and for making us aware...we often forget about the aftermath once the media no longer reports the tragedy...
ReplyDeleteMy heart was aching as I read the words. I felt their pain, their need and their uncertainty. As I write from my comfortable home I am humbled. Thank you for sharing with us and reminding us that it is not about us but .others
ReplyDeleteSharon....Yes I had forgotten all about it. I am sitting here in my cozy home drinking my second cup of tea. There are so many days that I take it for granted. Thanks for the gentle reminder. I'm hopping over to NZRC now........k
ReplyDeleteWell said Sharon, they are not out of the woods by any means. Aftershocks are still occuring....living with the 'if and when' every day is frightening for those who live there as well as for loved ones who look on from afar. There are many who will be most appreciative of this post Sharon...:) xx
ReplyDeletethanks you for more information ... it's easy to just go about your day isn't it?
ReplyDeletemiss ya girl
I can't believe I'd forgotten all about it until I read your post. It had completely slipped off my radar, and makes me realize that if it's not on the news, right in front of me, it's as if something doesn't exist anymore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughtful post and reminder.
Sharon~~ Thank you so much for reminding us about this.Its funny how such important stories get tucked away so quickly and the nonsense stays in the forefront.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend
~Cheryl
Oh, Sharon....you're quite right, and thank you for this posting.
ReplyDeleteAs you may know, I recently offered a high-resolution jpeg of an 18th century, French print to readers of your and Vicki's blogs. In the ten or so days since then, I've had at least 400 requests from everywhere but South America, Antarctica, and China (trust me; I've kept track).
Three of those intial letters were from ladies in New Zealand, all of whom wrote a variation on "This will be a charming way to begin replacing everything that was destroyed in the house". I really had no idea what they were talking about (did they all have husbands who went on drunken, bashing rages...or arson-prone children?) until a fourth women wrote, saying that she was reassured to consider that this was one thing she'd know how to re-source, should there be another earthquake.
I googled "earthquake new zealand" (looking for "Breaking News!" headlines) and, of course, abashedly realized that OF COURSE I'd read about this when it first happened, not at all long ago.....and then promptly forgotten about it.
I know full-well, via my NOLA relatives who lived through Hurricane Katrina, what happens once the TV-news vans roll off (after a couple of weeks at most) to some more "current" disaster.
So, thank you for that wake-up posting, and also for th4e link to the New Zealand Red Cross.
sincerely,
David Terry
www.davidterryart.com
I live in Auckland, New Zealand so am not in the earthquake zone but news here about Christchurch is a daily event as they struggle with constant earthquakes, some quite large. The first was in September 2010 but the most devastating one was in February 2011 when office blocks collapsed and killed many people. They have recently had another nasty one (among many smaller ones) which has caused a lot more liquification and heartache. They say the quakes will continue for another ten years.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us about this. A distant cousin of mine lives in Christchurch and they lost everything. Slowly they are rebuilding and looking forward.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, Sharon. You fill it with so much beauty! I am touched with the things you have to share each day....thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, how easy it is to take things for granted! We all need constant reminders as to how precious life is. Always hug your loved ones every single day.
I appreciate your blog, Sharon.
Bernie
Washington, USA
Thank you for this reminder that although things may be going well in our little region, those in other places continue to suffer. Reading the words from those in the midst of it all makes it much more personal.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I had no idea they were still experience after shocks all these months later. What a frightening experience - I can't even begin to imagine it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your concern. We here in Christchurch (well this side of the city!) have built up strong arm muscles in recent times shovelling yet more liquefaction from our surroundings but the strength of human reserve is amazing and we have learnt many lessons - the biggest that we are miraculously still alive, still have a sense of humour and have people like you around the world to 'escape' to.The children are the bravest and possibly the strongest. My children at school have seen and been through so much - my son was home from London at Christmas and couldn't cope at all! but as we all know life goes on - we are alive and feel so emotional reading your words Thank you from the bottom of my soul.
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