A tough February

It has been a very up and down month. My post below had me at the start of the month focussed on preparing for the Newtown Festival. That fell away when, after so many months of searching, we found a house we liked. We made an offer on a house which was accepted - settlement was due to occur the weekend of the Festival. I was so excited about the house and was dreaming of finally getting some space and room to play. It would have been a blank canvas to create in. However, the sale sadly fell through due to a defect in the foundations. I spent quite some time just being totally deflated and depressed. I guess it’s a lesson for those of us not very experienced in these things … never get your hopes up.

And then this week, all of that was put into perspective. Our poor wee country was rocked by yet another terrible earthquake. Poor Christchurch, already at its wits end after a big one in September and hundreds of aftershocks, suffered a destructive earthquake that has crippled the city. My heart goes out to everyone effected, whatever the reason may be: whether it be property damage, financial worries, physical injury or the tragic loss of someone. I think everyone in New Zealand carries the burden with them this week as the news rolls in of more impact, more loss and more dead. It is surreal to try to plod on with your own life as normal, knowing not far away people are in turmoil and countless lives have been lost. We all grieve for those poor people like you or I who were leading just another day at the office - eating their lunch, shopping for shoes - who never got to complete their day. It makes you very aware of everyone's fragility, and that the comfort that we award ourselves by the routine of life can be snatched away so quickly. Tell your friends and family you love them and give as generously as you can!