Tuesday 22 February 2011

Relief

Joe has been travelling throughout Asia for the past eight months and at times it has been worrying to say the least - stories of trains coming off bridges, bugs and allergic reactions etc. So it was with some relief when he moved on to Christchurch, New Zealand last week. I thought he might be more settled.

Then we woke this morning to the news of the devestating earthquake that hit the city earlier today and have spent a sickening few hours trying find news of his whereabouts. I've just heard he is fine and staying with a local family so I'm relieved once more and grateful for the generosity and kindness of strangers.

Our thoughts go to those whose news has not been so good.

33 comments:

  1. It's also so very sad. First Australia, now NZ.

    Hope your son makes it home in one piece (and continues to have fun on the way). x

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  2. it's very sad but I'm glad your son is safe. I hope he makes it home safe and sound sometime soon.

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  3. What a huge relief to know that Joe is safe.

    Christchurch is normally such a beautiful peaceful city, my heart goes out to everyone there.

    Celia
    x

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  4. Oh my goodness, that must have been a worrying few hours.

    Our thoughts are with everyone in Christchurch. It's an absolute tragedy.

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  5. Thank God Joe is safe, Gina. This is such an awful tragedy for New Zealand to bear on top of the mining deaths and the previous earthquake.

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  6. So glad he's safe. I can't even begin to imagine your worry. But so sad for everyone there.

    K x

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  7. I find myself breathing out very slowly indeed as I read your post. Such unexpected tragedy.
    Keep safe, Joe.

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  8. My heart goes out to you and your family, what a worrying time for you all. I am so glad thatshiso

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  9. Gut wrenching for you but thank heavens he is alright. Devastating for those involved though...........

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  10. Glad to hear Joe is safe. But what heartbreaking scenes on the news from NZ.

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  11. I am so glad that your son Jo is safe, what a worrying time for you though waiting to hear. That part of the World are suffering at the moment, first the floods in Oz and now this in NZ

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  12. What a relief to know your son is safe. My prayers go out to the people in Christchurch

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  13. What a worrying time for you.You must have been beside yourself.Thank goodness he is safe and well.I think the casualty numbers are going to be a lot more than initially thought.Our hearts go out to everyone there.

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  14. Glad to hear your son is safe. My thoughts are with everyone in Christchurch right now.

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  15. Glad to hear that Joe is safe, I guess we will never stop worrying about our kids however old they get.

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  16. o my god Gina, i'm so glad he's alright - such dreadful news to wake up to - my heart goes out to the people of Christchurch.

    xxxx

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  17. eek Gina. I think I can imagine what you went through. so pleased to hear he's well. I'll always remember that photo of the 4 boys in the cupboards. what struck me about this earthquake was that it looked like England which was very weird as quake countries usually look so much less "green."

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  18. Relief is too small a word, I would imagine. I'm so glad he's safe. I couldn't believe it when I saw it on the news this morning.

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  19. Gosh, so glad he is safe! Such terrible news isn't it. I have a friend in Christchurch and her house has been badly damaged, but thankfully she and her family are fine.

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  20. Poor you, I can only imagine how worried you must have been - so glad that he's safe and that you heard from him so quickly.

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  21. So glad your son is safe and well. You must have been frantic with worry for a few hours. I don't know any details of the quake but my heart goes out to the people of Christchurch.

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  22. Those hours of waiting to find out must have been hell - thank goodness the news was good. I am waiting anxiously to hear from a dear friend, as so many others must also be.

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  23. Those hours of waiting must have been just dreadful for you Gina! Thank goodness for your good news!
    Vivienne x

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  24. Gina,I'm so pleased to hear that Joe is okay.I just can't stop thinking about the people of NZ and what a terrible time they are going through.
    Judith.

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  25. So glad you had good news, a worrying time!

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  26. Thank goodness Joe is safe. I wonder how much more we can take at this end of the world, we have had one heartbreaking disaster after the other these past months, and once again we sit in front of the tv with our hearts in our mouths and our stomachs churning.
    Can't even begin to imagine what you were feeling, and that every minute must have felt like an hour.
    Just praying they find more people alive.

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  27. Cannot imagine the anxious hours before you heard all is well with Joe. But so pleased it is.

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  28. Thanks Goodness Gina !
    Hope Joe holds tight, and can be of some assistance to those less fortunate.

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  29. Oh my goodness that must have been a scary few hours - and such a relief to hear he is safe. Oh all those poor folks you cannot even try to appreciate how terrible it must be for them - puts all out lives and minor up and downs well into perspective eh.

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  30. glad to hear he is okay Gina - it's all a bit surreal
    Dale

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  31. Thank God that he's safe Gina-any earthquake is awful but somehow you think somewhere like New Zealand is safe from these things- goes to show. We've family out there but not in Christchurch so we're just checking they are OK.

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  32. Dear Gina,
    I'm so glad that your son is safe. We have some friends in Christchurch and I too was very relieved to learn that they were safe after a harrowing scrabble through the rubble. Life can change in a heartbeat.

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  33. Thank goodness he's safe, what a worrying time.

    Just catching up - love the paper cuts and the cake - off to find the recipe!

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