Shaken and stirred, but never broken

This kind of thing just does not happen in New Zealand.
Earthquakes that flatten cities and claim hundreds of lives often strike in some far off African country – and maybe even in Russia or China – but it is not suppose to happen in good old Christchurch!
It has been almost unreal watching the TV footage and reading the news reports in the aftermath of the quake. It is like I won’t let myself believe that this disaster has happened and the newsfeeds from another country – not Christchurch.
However, despite my disbelief, the images of the collapsed iconic Cathedral and other buildings I am familiar with in the city, confirm that it is indeed Christchurch that has been hit by this earthquake. It is beyond my comprehension that a death toll of over 300 could yet be reached.
I am also struck by a feeling of uselessness and helplessness. There is nothing I can do to help. While my thoughts and sympathies are with all those Cantabrians who have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake, especially those who have lost loved ones, it doesn’t seem enough.
There is no doubt this disaster that has touched all New Zealanders in some way. It has a similar feeling to that of the Erebus crash, where it seems everyone in the country knew or knew of someone filled on that fatal flight.
They say that out of tragedy comes good. And that is definitely the case in this instance. I am amazed at the response and efforts of both ordinary people and the professionals in the immediate aftermath of the quake.
The site of office workers, risking their own safety, to carry out broken colleagues out from shattered buildings. Or people using their own vehicles as makeshift ambulances, when the city’s fleet became overwhelmed, to ferry the injured to hospital. Then there was the enduring spirit of human kindness, with strangers checking on strangers to ensure they were ok.
The quake struck at 1 pm, by 6 pm tent cities and relief centres had been established to feed and house affected people. At the same time; civil defence, search and rescue, police, fire and medical staff were all flat out rescuing people and tending to their needs.
Government and council had both swung into action ensuring the necessary emergency measures were in place.
While Christchurch city may be shaken and its people stirred, both have not being broken. Though the lost lives can never be replaced, and the city may never look the same, with help Cantabrians will again rebuild their lives and their city of Christchurch.