On a serious note... Reflections of Pike River

Over the past few weeks here, there has been a tragedy that is cause for national mourning.

In one of the coal mines on the west coast, there was an explosion. Coal mines are about the most dangerous type of mine to be around, they are more unstable, with more toxic gasses, and this particular mine has had several tragic events over 100's of years, that seem to occur once every 50 years. Almost a week after the first explosion, which trapped 29 men, there was a second explosion, which removed all hope of getting them out alive. There has since been a third explosion, and there will be more to come, but they still want to retrieve the bodies of the men for the families.

What caused it is still largely unknown, but there is excessive heat and gasses in the mine currently. We do live on the edge of a tectonic plate in this land, and there is regular movements of the earth resulting in changes on the surface.  Around 3 months ago there was an earthquake in Christchurch causing over $4billion in damages, and for a small nation, that's a huge cost.

Not as large a cost as 29 lives, in the one place, at the one time, from the one tragedy.

The things that hurt are the young man who begged to go in to the mine early and got trapped, the man who got out because he was closer to the surface while his brother was trapped further inside, and the man who has a wife with 2 small children who will never know their father. There are many more stories as well.

They knew the risks, yet chose to go, they knew their lives could end any day, yet chose to live with the danger, than hide from it. Tomorrow I could be in an accident, yet that can't stop me leaving my house, taking care for known dangers.

We've picked up our family and moved to a country where the people we knew could be counted on one hand. There was an element of risk in deciding to do this. We've left behind family, friends, jobs, family pets, sold a house and belongings to go somewhere we knew about technically, but didn't know what the experience would really be like. I'm glad we have.

Our life is different because we took a risk, it's richer, full of new perspectives, and the children have had the opportunity to experience so much more from being in a new country.

The things that are encouraging from this whole event is the love and support pouring out from around the world. On Twitter and Facebook there are thoughts, prayers and love being said. There is a fund in NZ that was started by ANZ and they put in $100,000 to get it going. This small community at Pike River has become the focus of many over the past few days, and the people there know the world is thinking of them... and it helps.

One standout encouraging thing for me has been my local community. At the local shops last night there is a donation box for the cause, it was already fairly stuffed and in it were mostly notes, and very few coins. I love that people here want to give and to help.

I have been debating on wether or not to write this post, but this is a part of the the things we are discovering here in New Zealand, in a volatile land of danger and risk, there is love and camaraderie.

R.I.P Pike River Miners, may your loved ones know you cared for them deeply, and thanks for reminding the rest of us that we still need to live, despite the risks it may bring.