Today, I remembered from the other side of the Tasman sea, together with four of my Australian clients. We looked back in disbelief at the damage the earthquake has caused, both to the physical presence of the city, and to those who have been lost inside it - from the people who lived in Christchurch all their lives, to those who happened to be passing through for studies or a mere visit.
What happened is not fair, and it can never be said it is. I have no explaination for what has torn those lives apart, but can rest assured it doesn't have anything to do with tolerance of homo-sexuality, nor government experiments.
We will never now why fate choose to take the people it did - but like those taken in other events in our history - they will be remembered, and as a nation, we will soldier on. I am thankful that I myself did not succumb - as the chance of being involved in such an event exists for all of us.
I think today's memorial will go down in New Zealand's history books, and hope it marks a turning point for the better. I feel that the general mood of the service was uplifting, and it was good to see John Key and Prince William speak the way they did. It was also good to see the highest ranking officials from Australia (the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and Governor General) come over to provide their support.
Of course, we remember those who have passed in Christchurch in the shadow of a much bigger event, the recent Sendai earthquake, Tsunami, and the debacle at the Fukushima nuclear reactors. Let us also remember those victims and their families, as well as the Japanese society as a whole.
"Grief is the price we pay for love" - Prince William's words could not echo my feelings more more.
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| Christchurch Earthquake Memorial - 18 Mar 2011 |
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| Christchurch Earthquake Memorial - 18 Mar 2011 |
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