a blogging helpline

In our blogging world it is easy to get caught up in paint colours and beautiful interiors but one of the amazing things about blogging is the privileged communication with readers.  Besides the comments left at the end of a post, I am fortunate to receive  emails from all over the world; people sharing their everyday life, their joys; their fears.

Here in Europe the news we receive via the mainstream media has a short concentration span.  Something big happens on the other side of the world, we'll hear about it for the first couple of days but then it fades away.

A big thing that we're not hearing about any more is the effect of the earthquake in New Zealand.  It first struck last September and we all saw the pictures, watched the videos on youtube, read the statistics then ..... then nothing!  I assumed it was all over, cleared up, rebuilt, done and dusted.

May I share with you a couple of extracts from notes I have received from readers.  They weren't asking for anything, they weren't whining or griping.  They all just explained why  blogging had become so important to them, moments of normality amidst their life that has become anything but normal.

Christchurch New Zealand has passed 10,000 earthquakes and aftershocks since 4.35am September 3rd September 2010, that makes  just over 500 days:

 "Life has been very frightening and pleasures of daily life have been curtailed     showers now take 1 min in case another aftershock occurs – same with toilet time   no one wishes to be on toilet or undressed  and we all have our emergency routines  - thank God for cellphones/bottled water/chemical toilets/strong torches/barbeques and the like."     

 "Most of us have lost treasures  have traumatised children/pets and the list could go on."

"My house has sustained even more damage not much more can break now but we are still all alive "

"the place was going to be all set for an amazing day now the tree has smashed twice in the lat 24 hours so reluctant to put it  back again the liquefaction surrounds the house so its gumboots in  summertime - the house has split more glasses and good Christmas china smashed and the cupboards have emptied their contents over the kitchen floor yet again"

I don't think I need to say more.  You are sensitive understanding people.  Today I simply wanted to invite you to think about this situation as I have done.  If you feel moved to help a little or a lot, this is the best place I have found.   Thank you.