earthquake memories

the awful destruction and loss of life in japan is so sad.  it is always a bit shocking how one minute the earth is still and the next it is shaking and rolling, causing damage and despair.  this morning's news took me right back to the worst earthquake i experienced living as a child and adolescent in walnut creek, california.

it was october 1989.  my joani, baby sister moocher and i drove to my aunt and uncle's apartment after school to visit because my grandma was in town to support my aunt before she had her 2nd baby.  we were hanging out in the living room.  i remember that i was standing with baby moocher while the adults were sitting on the couches.  suddenly the earth started moving.  it was almost like a rolling sensation.  my pre-teen self thought it was "awesome".  my grandma was nervous and worried.  my aunt and joani seemed unfazed.  we left soon afterwards to get home which was a 20 minute drive or so.

we pulled up to the house and the gardeners were clustered around a little radio listening to the earthquake report.  it was a 6.9 magnitude on the richter scale and a portion of the bay bridge collapsed.  it was amazing to me that i could go from "riding the earthquake wave" to understanding how this 15 seconds had caused massive damage and lives were lost.  suddenly it was a somber event.

the other piece was that my father worked in san francisco's embarcadero center and was virtually stuck in the city because the BART trains weren't running.  he would have to push his way onto a ferry to cross the bay and then look for a bus to try to get him towards our home.  it took quite a long time for him to get home that evening.

i've been in other earthquakes...even one at school when i was a seventh grader, but this october 1989 quake will forever stand out in my mind.  i saw a showing of community solidarity and outpouring of love by strangers to help each other.  if only natural disasters didn't have to happen to motivate people to care about each other.

i pray that those families affected by this quake in japan will find solace wherever they can but more importantly, love and support each other.