I'm from Christchurch, although I don't post often. I don't mind my identity being known either. All of the foregoing paints the picture fairly accurately. My family and I have survived both major quakes thus far, along with the countless afterquakes (over 5000) since Sept 2010.
The shaking is terrifying at the time . . . seems to persist for much longer than I previously imagined. And the constant smaller shakes are hard on the nerves over time. The diversity of human behavior it gives rise to is fascinating to me also.
The hardest blow in the most recent quake is the loss of life. I learned yesterday that our family doctor had perished inside a collapsed building. I want to tell you about this man. Unremarkable in many ways upon first meeting . . . aged in his mid-late thirties . . . quiet, unassuming and gentle by nature . . . but extrordinarily attentive. A man of few words . . . but the words he spoke were of real value. It's hard to put a definition on it but he had a "way" about him . . . a way that connected . . . especially with youths and young adults . . . a rare quality.
Anyway, he did extrordinary things in his quiet, unassuming way for me and my family along with many other young people we know. He helped my eldest son through a very difficult period, as well as his fiancee who also had a serious medical problem. My niece and nephew had lost thier mother as small children. They are now grown up and thought the world of him. He didn't just help you with medical treatment . . . he took time to get to know you and took a genuine personal interest in people.
When I left his presence I always felt uplifted and encouraged, like he had 'restored' me inside . . . given me back something I didn't know I had even lost.
All said and done . . . He was simply a very fine human being. I can't help but wonder if my once long-held view of the world as a witness would ever have allowed me to see the very real beauty in this man.
He leaves behind a widow and three small children of his own . . . and a large tear in the hearts of so many people . . . young people.
RIP my friend, you will be loved, admired, remembered and deeply missed for a very long time. That's what this Earthquake has mostly done to me
