Kia Kaha Christchurch

 By now you've likely heard about the recent earthquake which hit Christchurch, NZ.  TV, newspapers and blogs have all been loaded up with heart-rending images and reports.  This devastation is not my home; this is a war zone happening somewhere else.  It's hard to get my mind around it.

I got two calls the day the earthquake hit (Tues in NZ, Mon evening in ATL) - one from Mum to say she was okay and another from a friend checking on my family.  Mum's good like that; I find out family's okay before things make it into the news here.  Streaming NewstalkZB has helped greatly to keep up with what's going on and how people are doing in Christchurch and around the country.  One caller suggested people change the voicemail on their phones to say that they're okay.  Even if family and friends can't reach you, they still know you're alive.

Last night I received an email from the New Zealand Consulate in Atlanta, GA.  The Consul has been sending out regular updates which help give a feeling of connection to home. The internet is mightily impersonal when what you really need is human voices and a familiar accent.  Kiwi Expat organisation KEA posted on Facebook asking us to wear black and red - Canterbury's colours - on Fri 25 Feb and Sat 25 Feb.

Probably the only time in my life I'll wear Canterbury colours intentionally.  But this isn't about rugby.  This is about Kiwis doing what we do best in a crisis.  Kia Kaha Christchurch.