Earthquake Report: Reprise
Yesterday I posted an earthquake report on the general situation in Christchurch one year on from the first major earthquake (7.1) on September 4, seven months from the devastating 6.3 on 22 February, and three months from the ‘deja vu’ 6.3 shock of June 13—assuming, for this purpose, my guise of your “’embedded’ reporter from the suburban rear lines.” 😉
But as one friend emailed me “off air” to say: “you didn’t mention anything about your personal situation.”
“Oh, that!” I replied.
“Yes,” she said. “That. Exactly.”
So, here goes with exactly that …
Overall, what I’d say is “we’re ok.” Our property has been zoned what’s called “green,” meaning that I’m not in an area that’s being “written off.” The house has taken a fair bit of damage, mostly in the area of the foundations, but is still perfectly livable—so when I talk about those twisted and broken houses that I see on my walks about the city, well I definitely count my blessings, then.
A lot of other things need fixing, too, like the sewer line, which now features an interesting crackle glaze effect courtesy of June 13—and this, like the house foundations, makes it likely that large parts of my garden, which I love, will have to be torn out to accommodate the repairs. Needless to say, even though I know that gardens can be replanted, that still hurts quite a bit.
And yes, half our life is still currently stored in boxes, and there’s likely to be a fair amount of stress and turmoil in future when the repairs eventually happen, particularly given that doing the foundations means that the house will have to be completely repainted and decorated afterward—yes, inside and out—as well as the garden being re-planted, which will require moving out for a period. And right now I’m wrasslin’ with Earthquake Commission froms, and insurance forms—all the while emulating the “grrrgh-aarrgh” from the end of Buffy shows on a regular basis!—and cataloguing broken stuff (yes, you have to keep all the debris until your contents claim is settled) and getting quotes, and it is stressful, but …
But, here’s the important thing, overall I have a place to live that’s weathertight and livable enough, and slowly, the threads of everyday life are starting to re-knit together—mainly in small ways, touching base with people I haven’t seen since before February 22nd, making plans for book-related activities again, seeing old businesses re-open and new ones tentatively hang out their shingle. I guess in that sense, spring really is on the move everywhere …
So although I know that saying, “Oh, I know there’s an awful ot of people who are worse off than me” can be hackneyed, I also feel that in this case, there really are—many, many more. And Pollyanna-ish though it may be—and despite not infrequent moments of grrrgh-aarrgh—I really do try and stay focused on that glass half full.