Friday 15th March 2019
will be forever etched in the minds of all New Zealanders
as the day our country lost it's innocence.
Until this horrific day we all felt safe and secure....
probably because of our geographical isolation
compared to Europe and the Americas.
We were that safe haven
in the Antipodes
downunder
at the bottom of the world
untouched by the horrors of a pre-meditated massacre
...until terrorism visited
Christchurch
a small city in the South Island
that reminds many of England
with the beautiful
Hagley Park.
with the beautiful
Hagley Park.
A place where we thought we were
out of harm's way amid such scenes as
punting on the Avon River.
punting on the Avon River.
Looking back at other terrorist attacks
who could ever forget
the 9/11/2001
in
New York City and Washington, D.C.
~
7 July 2005
The horrific underground bombings
in
London.
~
And the one that especially touched our family
the Charlie Hebdoe attack
January 2015
January 2015
in
Paris.
At the time our daughter and her little family
were still living in France.
Thank goodness they were no longer living in Paris
but had settled in a sleepy little village
in the french countryside.
You can read my post here
~
Please pray for the Christchurch families who have
lost their Father or Mother
son, daughter, brother or sister
Grandfather or Grandmother
Uncle, Aunt, cousin, friend or neighbour.
~
Keep close to your families dear readers and
every day tell them how much you love them.
were still living in France.
Thank goodness they were no longer living in Paris
but had settled in a sleepy little village
in the french countryside.
You can read my post here
~
Please pray for the Christchurch families who have
lost their Father or Mother
son, daughter, brother or sister
Grandfather or Grandmother
Uncle, Aunt, cousin, friend or neighbour.
~
Keep close to your families dear readers and
every day tell them how much you love them.
Take care and
be kind to one another
Merci à bientôt
Shane
Shane
Very well said Shane. We are still coming to terms with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue.
DeleteWe're the same, our lives will never be the same.
What those poor families are going through is unbearable.
I haven't heard the news on for a while, and this is the first I've heard of it. I will pray for the survivors to have comfort as they deal with such tragedy. From Carollyn.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carollyn.
DeleteIt's a major tragedy for us.
Everyone is going about their daily lives, but there is an empty silence in the air.
It will take us a long, long time to feel some sense of normality.
Shane x
Beautiful post, Shane, and thank you for the prayer of St Francis, one of my favourites. We are in shock in Australia, for our dear friend New Zealand, and because it was done by one of our own. I loved Christchurch, and remember Hagley park where we also went punting by the willows. So very sad, we pray for all involved. xx
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to hear from you dear Patricia.
DeleteMy Brisbane friend (the one I stayed with when you and I were meant to catch up!) rang to see how we all are....she is now an Australian but was born in New Zealand and she very much feels our pain too.
A senseless act of terror has changed our lives forever.
The people of Christchurch have had so much to contend with, the earthquakes had a devastating affect and now this tragedy.
In the words of Saint Francis, "where there is hatred, let me sow love".
Shane x
Prayers for your country and your family. ♥️
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Vee.
Deletexxx
Praying.
ReplyDelete❤❤❤ Thank you so much.❤❤❤
DeleteDearest Shane,
ReplyDeleteYes, terrorism is the awful new 'norm' it seems like... Now in the heart of The Netherlands!
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you Mariette.
DeleteBut we can't let it be the "norm".
We have to stop this senseless behaviour and shut "them" down anyway we can.
The internet is one of the problems I feel.
For the majority of us it is a great learning tool. I check out Youtube for 'making journals', or calligraphy, but others use it for anti-establishment purposes.
Hugs
Shane
The world needs to return to RESPECT and to RELIGION... Internet is no replacement for either one.
DeleteYou’re right and I agree. ❤️
DeleteWe grieve for you in NZ, dear Shane.
ReplyDeleteDearest friend, I knew you would be thinking of us and saying prayers as well.
DeleteThank you so much from all New Zealanders. ❤❤❤
Such a touching post dear Shane, very well written and touched my heart. I emailed you this morning and shared more thoughts on that sad and horrific day in your beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteMary x
Thank you dear Mary for your words both here and in your email.❤
DeleteEveryone is still in shock and of course we are bombarded by various media in the newspaper and on radio and television.
When will we return to "normal" are the words being expressed by many.
I can't imagine how those dear souls who have lost family and friends must
feel - for them life will never be normal again. It's so unfair - it is so unjust.
Shane xxx
We are horrified by the what happened. The person (we won't speak his name) who did this brought people together ( not his intention I shouldn't think).
ReplyDeletexx
You are quite right Radka... have you seen television images of the beautiful flowers the public have left outside the two Mosques.
DeleteThese are expressions of reaching out and affirming feelings of:
'we share your sorrow and understand your grief'
'we are here for you'
'we will support you'
'we are ashamed at this horrific deed'.
❤❤❤
Such a tragedy and such a waste of human lives. Unfortunately the press is dwelling on it which is giving the shooter the attention he craves, but it's a fine line between doing that and giving proper sympathy to those who have lost so much. The thoughts of the world are with New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteThank you MA❤
DeleteWe are over the media response too.
The perpetrator is locked away without access to media reports.
Where he is being held there is no mobile phone access, radio or television.
All the world's Prime Ministers and leaders have sent messages to our Prime Minister condemning this terrorist act and the person responsible and offering assistance if needed.
At times like this there are no barriers.
Shane xxx
You were the first person to come to mind when we heard this. My heart has been breaking a bit the more I hear. I'm so very sorry that this has come to your world as well.
ReplyDeleteOh dearest Jeanie thank you my friend.
DeleteWe are all still in shock and disbelief that such horror has happened in our peaceful country.
Will I be able to say those words again - I live in a peaceful, safe country at the bottom of the world..... I hope I will.
We must hang on to our ideals and have faith in the future.
Shane❤❤❤
Sending prayers for all who lost their lives, their families and your city.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your lovely words Elizabeth, thank you.
DeleteReaching out across the oceans is very powerful and lets us know that we are not alone.
We are encouraged by the messages from our friends in the four corners of the world who care enough to send us kind words of concern and hope for the future.
Shane❤❤❤
It is so terrible about the terrorist attacks and so horrible that it affected your area.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing well though.
Continuing to pray for your country and those who suffered the effects of hatred - may they find comfort and strength.
ReplyDeleteWe're shocked that this terrible attack has happened. May you all be comforted by the prayers of concerned folk around the world. xx Linda
ReplyDeleteDear Shane, yes, so very sad and wicked ,- so unbelivable how any one can do such hate filled things as to take others life !!!
ReplyDeleteI`m filled with sorrow for the many whom lost a family member or friend,- our world is a scary place !! Sending you a hug of comfort my friend. Dorthe
So sad for New Zealand and this unbelievable atrocity. Angry that the president of the US is insighting this behavior in many. I am so proud of your prime minister for acting quickly to make changes to your gun laws. You can be proud of that. Praying for healing for New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteShane, I’m so sorry for your country. Sending prayers. I know 911 was devastating to us in New York.
ReplyDeleteLovely words Shane. I listened to Prince William yesterday, when he was in Christchurch, and he said, along these lines " The person who did this, thought he would divide you. He failed" and went on to say he has had sadness, loss and grief in his life and understood . It changed how I felt, and am glad we do not have to be out in the public in big crowds any more.
ReplyDeleteIt has been some time since I have visited your blog. Thank you for visiting mine. I have made your blog one of my favorites and will be visiting often Prayers for the people of Christchurch. Have a blessed day. Madeline
ReplyDelete