Finally I can get online and contact everyone. I am sure you have seen the news and the devastation that has hit Christchurch with the aftershock on Tuesday. Aftershock? Boy it was worse that the earthquake of September 4th 2010. I can describe it as if you are a cork in the middle of the ocean and getting thrown around. The house was like a tiny lilo that was rocking on an unstable ground. Everything was thrown to the ground and smashed, furniture was tipped up, pictures on the wall literally jumped of the walls. The gold fish were lucky to have any water left in their tank.
We were lucky, our house is still standing, we have had no power and water, but we have all our family alive and accounted for. There are still so many people missing. It is a very bizarre experience as I sit here using a mobile connection to contact you, some people are homeless, some are digging holes in the garden to use as toilets, others are queuing up for fresh water at the local schools. The entire central business district is closed down, we are waiting for a 26 storey hotel to fall down as it continues to slump in one corner.
We were just starting to get some sleep at nights, the anxiety had lessened and the dependence on a glass of wine to calm the nerves at night had decreased. Now we are back to feeling uptight, the children won’t go upstairs unless there is someone with them, their behaviour has changed. It was a very traumatic experience for the children, they were at school when it happened and were outside playing at lunch time. Alex was thrown to the ground and banged his head, Emily twisted her ankle and was very frightened. Now every time there is an aftershock, she grabs something solid and freezes on the spot. Alex dives under the table. Charlie the 17 month old is oblivious to the whole experience, and is a happy bouncy baby! In fact his antics keep us sane as he provides the light relief to make us smile in a situation that is dire for the city.
We have only just seen yesterday the devastation on TV as we had no power, so it was very distressing to see what has happened and it felt like you had been hit again as we just had an idea in our head after listening to the radio. It was much worse that we had expected.
The good thing is that they were already well into the planning to rebuild the city after the first earthquake, so it will now just be adding to what was already planned, and the addition of a huge amount of essential services like power, sewerage, water, gas and roading.
As I sit here, we have more after shocks. I better get back to cleaning up the mess, it has taken longer than I had imagined. I would just like to say thank you to all the people who have emailed me with their thoughts and prayers. We appreciate that and feel that someone was looking after us as we have now escaped two large disasters. I managed to receive some emails, I haven’t been able to reply as I have intermittent internet access.
I would like to send my condolences to the families of all those who did not make it through this experience. We don’t know who you are yet, and as we wait to hear, we cross our fingers that it is no one we know, but in a city as small as ours, I am sure we have lost friends, so for now, we are putting that out of our minds as it is out of our control. I would also like to thank all the countries who have sent experienced search and rescue crews to help us look for survivors. They have come from Australia, Japan, China, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Taiwan. (Sorry if I have missed anyone).
We will be back in contact when we have a better internet connection.
Lee, Chris, Emily, Alex and Charlie.
Amanda and the team at interiordezine.com
God is GR8……..Hope evrything should b fine in future also….
So glad to hear you and your family are safe. I felt so bad when I saw the devastation there. You are in my prayers
Cathy071654@aol.com
Glad to hear you all are well! I remember the huge chandelier swaying in the Christmas Cathedral in Omsk, and it was strange. Never expect an earthquake!
I am so glad to hear you & family are safe and sound. It is terrible for children to experience this traumatic situation, i know; give them more encouragement and comfort, time will heal the pain. May you all be blessed with continued safety.
Hi,glad to here that you and your family are okay. Thank you for the update! our prayers and thoughts are always with you.
Hi from Sasha in Tasmania. I am so relieved to hear that you and the Family are OK. Have been following it all closely on the news with great compassion to you all in Christchurch for suffering such devastation. Hope things settle down a bit and no further traumatic aftershocks occur. My thoughts are with you at this time… Sasha
My prayer with you and your family and the country.
Knowing that you have a very difficult time. May Lord be with you and your family.
from Hong Kong
I thank God that you and yours are safe and sound. I did not know you are in Christchurch.
Is there a way we can contribute to Interiordezine to help your family? You have provided a valuable service to many, now allow us to help you.
God Bless,
Rose Lupo
Orlando, FL
Our prayers are with you, you have been been so helpful to all of us with the interior design lessons. We hope you can recover and we send prayers for those who lost family in the disaster.
Dear Lee, Thanks dear God that you and your family are well! I'm thinking of you all the time and praying for you!
I am so sorry for all those unfortunate people who didn't make it in this terrible disaster.
Gordana
Please accept my heartfelt condolences dear brown family
my families heartfelt prayers are with all you & your beloved people
May you all find strenght in this difficult hours*Sending Much love & Prayers
I am thank God for keeping you and your family safe. I also appreciate that you keep me on your mailing list even though I do not respond often. God Bless you and keep you and may he make his light to shine upon you.
THANK GOD YOU AND THE FAMILY ARE OK!i HOPE THE PEOPLE CAN GET SAFE AND ALIVE TOO IN YOUR CITY
dear lee & Chris
May hod continue to look over you and your family.My prayers are with you all. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Sharon
Glad to hear that you guys are ok. My heart goes out to those who have suffered lost.
I have been thinking of everyone in Christchurch.. how incredibly sad. I'm happy your family are all fine; sad to think of the children being so frightened.
My prayers are with everyone there.. wish I was closer so I could help those in need.
Glad you are ok.
I'm so glad to hear you and your family are safe and well. Thinking of you all at this time xxx
I had thought of you and your family when I heard of the areas affected. So glad to hear you are safe and sound. My prayers go out to those who are suffering any type of loss and also for your continued safety.
So glad you and your family are okay. Thank you for the update! We send prayers, positive thoughts and blessings your way.
Lee, I am Yelena Parshina from Almaty Kazakhstan. I am very impressed by your educational and professional work. We thought about your family when the earthquake in Christchurch stroke. Thanks God, you are safe. Almaty is also an earthquake zone, so i know how the buiding can lean and then go back. This is really awful experience, but we got used to it. I am a brand new interior designer and read all your articles, thank you.
Utlwi
God is faithful. good to hear He kept you safe during a time like this. May He continue to keep you from harm at all times. God bless
I'm so glad to hera you're OK. You were the first that came to my mind the moment I heard about what happened. Take care and God bless.
So glad, you are okay. Best wishes from good (c)old Germany
I was out of town for a couple of days and I didn't watch TV at all and when I came back and heard about the tragedy I was thinking of you. I am so happy you and your family are OK.
I'll pray God to keep you strong and help you and your friends there to get through this and I'll also pray for the others.
Maria from Romania
May god continue to look over you and your family.My prayers are with you all. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.