3 Years On (Christchurch Earthquake)

Once again we think of the people of Christchurch today, of ones whose lives will never be the same after 22nd Feb 2011. The sadness seems to get worse as we see the effects it had and still having on peoples lives. I think we are just seeing the reality of that day, the lovely city razed to the ground and so many lives lost and families lives changed. Although there is much progress on the rebuild and a hope for the future, it will take decades to materialize. My family in Christchurch are one of the ones affected by this event, and are still living in temporary accommodation, thankfully well away from the Eastern suburbs where they once lived. Their house hopefully will be demolished this week and will be another part of their lives gone, some will say it is only a house but it was their home where they made dreams for the future. That now means that they will not live in that house when a new one is put up, too many bad memories and they don't want to live on the edge of the Red Zone. I have a granddaughter who for a few months at the end of last year could not go to school because of the wind, she is terrified of it (Christchurch is one windy city!! ) Thankfully she is getting some help, and she has started going back, luckily they have some good procedures in place at school for when it is windy. These are some very real problems for lots of children in Christchurch that will take some time to get over. For now though they can look forwards to a new stage of their lives in building a new home somewhere near where they live now. Proud of you Rachel and Patrick and girls for hanging in there as its been tough every step of the way for you and many others, lots have just thrown the towel in and left ChCh, not so easy if you have a good job there!!I'm sure waiting it out will mean in the future you will have one of the safest and most beautiful cities once again.