Toodle pip

My parents left on Wednesday. During the 3 years we have lived here this was their fourth visit. This was easily the hardest goodbye. As we become more established in New Zealand I realise the possibility of us moving back to the UK fades and their visits become more and more bittersweet. I enjoy their company intensely whilst being stingingly aware of its fleeting nature. During the last two weeks of my parents' trip here I started to get anxious. The goodbye loomed and I dreaded the cold, grey smoke which I knew would hiss into my chest and expand it with loneliness.

Wednesday morning and we kissed and cuddled at the airport. Teary and sad I didn't watch their plane depart as I normally would but turned and walked out.

My loving parents are generous enough to come over often and visit us in our home where I live with my healthy husband and children. Getting blue and upset because I miss them seems like navel gazing self indulgence when you consider what so many others are facing in Christchurch and Japan as they try and cope with the new face of their lives and future.

With that in mind I have opted for a smile every time I think of my ma and pa and feeling lucky for all our time we have together. Because they live so far away, when they come to stay we never while away our time with the daily communication of chores and time passers but instead really relish our time together. We have done nothing more adventurous than build sandcastles, swim in the pool, eat ice cream and read stories, all within a 2km radius but it has been glorious.

lovely pic taken by Quinn O'Connell Photography

Christchurch earthquake of 22nd February 2011

As news broke of the earthquake in Christchurch on 22nd February 2011 my heart sunk. The last earthquake in September had shaken the Cantabrians and they had all lost so much. The realisation that this was so much worse as lives were lost as well as historic buildings and livelihoods made me feel nauseous. The news unfolded throughout the afternoon and we were glued to the TV in horror as large clumps of plaster and brick tumbled from Christchurch's beautiful, proud buildings, scattering dust, eliciting screams and clutched hugs as strangers weathered the aftershocks which thundered through the city. The mayor Bob Parker was interviewed live in front of Christchurch's broadcasting building where many of his colleagues and friends were trapped inside. He spoke with dignity and poise, answering impossible questions while his life was thrown into the same chaos and turmoil as his fellow people.

Foodbank drop offs have been set up all over the country, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to the Red Cross and Salvation Army to assist Christchurch and we have joined many thousands to offer our home to house those who have lost everything.

New Zealand is a small country. The death toll has risen to over 100 with double that many people still missing. The earthquake has decimated buildings, lives and has irreversably altered the future of the city, the south island and the country. I have faith that human spirit will push through these grim months ahead and I know New Zealanders will do all they can to support those affected by the earthquake.

God bless all those affected.

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