The Big One

Today Japan experienced an 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

I was home at the time with Jude on the 5th floor of our 9 story apartment building. When the shaking started, I ignored it.  But as it intensified, Jude and I grabbed our bike helmets and hid under our dining room table.  After about 10 seconds of severe shaking, Jude started to cry and asked, "Mommy, are we going to die?"  As soon as the words came out of his mouth, I decided we weren't going to stay inside and wait to see what would happen.  We decided to run for it.  And we did just that.

I grabbed Jude's hand, and we ran out the door and headed for the stairs.  Our neighbor, with a newborn, was standing in the doorway of her apartment, crying.  I yelled, "Hurry, run!"  And, we did just that. 

We ran as fast as we possibly could, as fast as my little legs would move.  When we got into the stairway, others were running down, too.  I just kept running, and saying faster...faster...come on.  Once we made it to the first floor, we bolted out of the building and kept running until we were in the parking lot.

We were barefoot, wearing bike helmets, but safe.  And that's all that mattered.

After today, my world is different.  I see things clearer now. 

Nothing else matters, except knowing the ones you love are safe!

All I want to do is take the fear away from my son, but I can't when I'm too scared to go home, too!

Fear is a strange thing.  It grabs hold and won't let go.  But I hope it loosens its grip on Jude.  A 6 year old should never know fear like this!