Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Some Perspective

For a variety of reasons, I'll be offline for the next few days.  See you Monday.

Until then...

You may have seen the stories jumping the globe since yesterday afternoon (in New Zealand) about the massive quake that hit the city of Christchurch.

Although I'm American, I was raised in New Zealand - on the opposite coast from Christchurch in fact.  That's the Bit City we went to when I was growing up.  Many friends and in-law family members still live there.  Some friends from my hometown may be sent there to help.

I spent yesterday glued to the television, watching people who could be people I know try to survive in a warzone.

Now, I'm sitting in my living room, one block off the beach (safely ensconced in the North Island). The native trees and bushes that surround our house frame a glimpse of the sea (we really need to cut those back).  The sky is that pale blue that emerges from the pink of a new morning.

But my serene, beautiful surroundings are a jailhouse to my impotent energy.  People are dying.  Extended family, friends and old colleagues are hurting, homeless and afraid.

This doesn't happen!  Except it does.

And writing, although a beautiful and passionate element of my life is suddenly not quite so all-consuming.

Books can change lives, but no book ever written by the hand of a man could replace one.

So, my thoughts and energies will be spent praying, hugging my son, and staying in touch with beloveds who are affected. 

Today will be reserved for the real people in my life.

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for that. I'll send prayers that direction as well. Take care!

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  2. Wow. I've never really thought of that. I too will be sending thoughts and prayers, as well as spending time with my family and friends today. :D

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  3. I'm glued to news websites, and watched TV3 all night. It's hard to believe, and I know a lot of people feel terrible and helpless. There's nothing we can do up here but pray, and hope for the best. Sad, sad time.

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  4. Rightly so and well said. My thoughts and prayers to all who are affected.

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  5. That was an eloquent entry. I especially liked "surroundings are a jailhouse to my impotent energy." I feel that way during every major tragedy - so remote and helpless. The people of New Zealand are in my prayers as well.

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  6. Beautiful post. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those people in New Zealand. Take care.

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  7. I share your feelings, Aimee. I live in Brisbane, Queensland, which - as I'm sure you'd know - is very close to New Zealand. Sitting in my high rise office building today, I imagined what it would be like if that building was in Christchurch rather than Brisbane - certainly reminds you not to take anything for granted. 

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  8. I hope your friends and family are all safe! There sure have been a lot of naturally disastrous events this year. Best to you.

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  9. Beautiful post. My thoughts are with you all!

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  10. Thinking and praying too. Such a tragedy.

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  11. Hi - fellow crusader finally stopping by to say hi and follow :)

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  12. Terrible times in NZ,

    i was born in New Zealand and live there till i was 20. I live in Brisbane, Australia now.

    We all knew that 'the big one' was coming sometime but that doesn't help when it does.

    All thoughts to those there and who have lost loved ones. Fortunately i did not. I realize that i am in the minority given the situation.

    Sarah

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