One year ago on 22nd February 2011
a devastating earthquake hit
Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
killing 185 people.
A memorial service was held today
to remember those 185 lives who were lost
and reflect on that dreadful day
that changed our lives forever.
At 12:51pm New Zealanders
observed two minutes silence
to remember those who died.
We are small country
and everyone knows someone
affected by this terrible event
1 degree of separation......
Image from
Children in Christchurch
released 185 butterflies
representing those precious
185 lost lives.
Image from
Beautiful floral tributes
were placed on the
road cones separating
the Red Zone of the city.
Messages were received from
Her Majesty, The Queen
as head of the
Commonwealth.
World leaders remembered
New Zealand today
sending warm messages
of hope and encouragement
for the future.
Image from
A video link condolence was
sent by Hillary Clinton
US Secretary of State
who visited Christchurch
following the earthquake.
It's like family
in times of strife and depair
we take care of one another.
The people of Christchurch
came out to pay their respects today.
Slowly their lives are rebuilding,
they are looking to the future
for themselves
their families, friends and neighbours
and the future of their city.
Image from
observed two minutes silence
to remember those who died.
We are small country
and everyone knows someone
affected by this terrible event
1 degree of separation......
Children in Christchurch
released 185 butterflies
representing those precious
185 lost lives.
Beautiful floral tributes
were placed on the
road cones separating
the Red Zone of the city.
Messages were received from
Her Majesty, The Queen
as head of the
Commonwealth.
World leaders remembered
New Zealand today
sending warm messages
of hope and encouragement
for the future.
A video link condolence was
sent by Hillary Clinton
US Secretary of State
who visited Christchurch
following the earthquake.
It's like family
in times of strife and depair
we take care of one another.
The people of Christchurch
came out to pay their respects today.
Slowly their lives are rebuilding,
they are looking to the future
for themselves
their families, friends and neighbours
and the future of their city.
Thank
you for popping in to see me
especially
those of you who leave me
a
little comment - love you!
Be kind
to one another
hugs
Shane x
What a nice tribute the releasing of the butterflies.
ReplyDeleteSo scary to think in an instant, nature can change your whole world.
Deb
I can't believe it has been a year already. So much sadness.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad day. Your tribute honours those who died and so many who are still grieving.
ReplyDeleteDearest Shane,
ReplyDeleteThat was tragic and still it feels like a raw wound for many involved. It is good for the healing to have such moments of silence and other activities in remembrance of the 185 lives lost.
Live is tough at times!
Sending you lots of love and take care. My brother is being transported by ambulance from Germany to his home in The Netherlands (1 hr) and he can recover from his home with home-care and therapy. Hope he fully recovers.
Hugs,
Mariette
There was only very brief coverage on our news last evening so it was lovely to see the pictures you shared of the memorial service Shane. As you say everyone knows someone affected by this event. Friends of ours who lived in one of the worst affected areas cannot rebuild and are leaving Christchurch, a city they love dearly. It's been a year of great uncertainty for them but their attitude has been amazing and I'm sure that is a reflection of the Anzac spirit. There was a wonderful documentary on here about how Victorians were rebuilding after Black Saturday. It was very emotional to watch but also uplifting as people began building new homes, establishing gardens again and one of the most positive outcomes - a much closer sense of community.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post Shane. A long shaky year has gone by and sadly
ReplyDeletemany are still a long way from finding peace. My mother has become so used to the quakes that she now sleeps through until the scale reaches 4.2, what a crazy way to spend your life at the ripe old age of 77! Christchurch might be out of the news but it's still very much in my heart. Mxx
Is that a year ago now???...such a sad day for so many people...nice you doing this.......love from me...xxx...
ReplyDeleteShane, I listened to some of the memorial service on the radio. We in Australia always feel we have a close relationship to our friends in New Zealand. The service was very moving.
ReplyDeleteChristchurch was such a beautiful city and I wish the people of that area all the best as they rebuild their lives.
Hi Shane, Such a sad time for the people of Christschurch. Your tribute and remembrance is very fitting and we all need to lift a prayer in the honor of lives lost and loved ones left without them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and reminding us the world is not so large.
Thank you also for stopping by and your kind comment. Have a wonderful weekend.
XO Celestina Marie
That was so tragic, what a beautiful way to remember, thanks for sharing Shane. xox Corrine
ReplyDeleteGod bless everyone
ReplyDeletePrayers and love for you all
Love Jeanne
it is good that so many people remember and honor all those in Christchurch who have been affected by these tragic earthquakes, and one hopes that they all have the strength to rebuild their beautiful city
ReplyDeleteIt is often overwhelming to realize that life can be drastically altered in the blink of an eye. Healing is hard when so much devastation is involved. But rebirth and renewal does come with time and effort. The release of the butterflies is a lovely memoriam. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Shane, hard to believe that it is a year already. Love being sent your way. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/
Oh, Shane -- I remember that so clearly. What a tragic day -- I know you must still be recovering as a country, though some of those wounds of total devastation may never be healed. I send prayers for the continued recovery of your country and those you may have known who were directly affected.
ReplyDeleteSo sad when things like this happen. So good that people paid tribute to ones that lost their lives.
ReplyDeletehugs
Carole
This is one of the most terrible things that can happen to a human being. So sad for all the families that are still grieving about there loved-ones. It is a beautifull way to rembember them.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Esther