That story is very scary. We do not live near Christchurch. Up here in Motueka near Nelson all people are grieving for everyone in Christchurch. Lucky you and your family are still alive. We live in Kaiteriteri and Riwaka. We both go to school in Riwaka. Riwaka is about 1 hours drive from Nelson. That was one big disaster and we hope you do not have to go through that again.

From Emily and Morag

I loved the bit where you said it was like you made the earth quake. As if!!!!
And you left your hat behind. Wise move. I’m sure you were not made to sit out the lunch time in the shade. Just this once though!!

Poor Mum she must have been very tired and scared too. Did I hear that she walked with Ashley-Mae’s Mum?

Hopefully writing about the experience of writing will help you to deal with your fears and feelings.

Much love, hugs and prayers, my young friend.

Mrs G

I’m so sorry you have been through such a scarey thing – especially waiting to find out about your Mum. I grew up in Napier and know how really scarey it is when you hear the rumble and everything starts to move. My heart goes out to you all. I now live a long way away from NZ and sometimes forget that that is where I am from – but seeing the news about the earthquake and feeling my own heart break to see my own people go through this has reminded me just how much of a Kiwi I am. All of my relatives are in Christchurch and it took a few days to find them all. My Nana is 92 and in a rest home so I was most worried about her.
My children are aged 9 and 11 and go to Cornerstone Christian College in Busselton, Western Australia. They have been following the news at school and praying for you all.
We know the ground will eventually stop shaking and you can rebuild everything that got broken.
You have written such a beautiful story and described everything so well. You must be very clever.
God bless you and know that many people all around the world are praying for you.

Love Sharon

I think your piece of writing is amazing, you have captured some humour in it at a difficult time when you said “It was like I made the earth quake!!” and then not bothering with your hat either. I think I would have left mine behind too.

The liquefaction is quite a phenomena, I had never heard of it until recently, it sounds a pretty big nuisance.

What a good idea to sing songs until parents and friends arrived to pick you up, it is very uplifting to do that.

I can understand your worry about the long wait for your parents but terribly relieved for you that they are there now, and you are all together.

I do hope this is the end. No more earthquakes!

Thinking of you lots from Auckland.
Ella