Suddenly, it started to shake. I could hear the windows shaking. I sat up. Still shaking, this time the shaking getting stronger. I started to wake my husband up. He sat up and the shaking still got stronger. TV turned off. I jumped up and told my older one to get up. The husband called out for the little one. We started to walk towards our front door. They came out with the househelp from the laundry room. The little one now being carried by my husband. Still shaking.
And then it stopped. It finally did.
"That was a long one" I told my husband.
I can't explain how much fear I still feel every time we experience aftershocks. The memory of that fateful day in July almost
When the shaking finally stopped, we all stayed in the living room for a while. My 5 year old asked me what that was and why I was so scared. Suddenly, my husband and I found ourselves sharing with him the experience we went through during the 1990 killer earthquake that hit our city.
He had a lot of "huwat's?!" and "ahh's!" and "oh's" while listening to me tell stories. And while I was telling him all about that experience, I too could not believe that all that happened. I realized how blessed I was. Many people died during that earthquake.
Although we were told that aftershocks were to be expected, for me, it never becomes "common." Each and every aftershock that came during the past 17 1/2 years still invokes fear. Especially now that I have children-- what if I am not with my children when there is another aftershock? What is it isn't just and aftershock? What if another earthquake comes?
We can never control Mother Nature.
Moments like this reminds me of how small we are in the universe. Moments like this reminds me that I am human. Moments like this makes me feel scared.
5 comments:
Sometimes I can't help but think if mother nature is fed up with all the abuse she is getting from people and has decided to turn the tables.
I remember the July 16, 1990 earthquake very well. I was in school when it happened and I was very scared. I'm thankful no one in my family got hurt when it happened.
That does sound like a scary experience and you were very lucky.
Mother Nature does have a way of putting us back in our place.
After reading your other post, I can imagine the terror you feel when the ground starts to shake.
I've heard that "small" aftershocks keep the plates from building up the immense pressure that causes a large earthquake. I hope that your recent shaking is just that.
Oh Louann, something like this will never leave you. I'm so sorry.
That is scary! I'm glad you and your family are okay. I know this may sound odd, but I think sometimes we need things like this to happen in order for us to remember that we are all but human and sometimes things are not in our control. Things like this also remind us of just how much we have to be thankful for.
Thank you for your comment and concern (my last post). Near death experiences can really shake a person up! I think I'm still in shock.
You truly are a gem, Louann! xoxo
Post a Comment