Of course for most of us the day is just like yesterday. Getting the kids off to school, wading through a few loads of washing, worrying about the meeting you've done nothing to prepare for, buying Christmas gifts. Auckland city life is a million miles from the mine.
For those coasters, as the West coast community call themselves, it's a completely different sort of day. No miracle rescue, no jubilant scenes just shock and the sort of raw grief that makes you want to look away.
They're mourning for 29 men - their grandfathers, sons and brothers. A very sad day indeed.
It is extremely sad isn't it. And following so closely on the heels of the Chilean triumph, a stark reminder of the terrible dangers of the mining profession. And the grief of a situation when it's not been possible to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteOoh, goosebumps. Such a contrast to the Beaconsfield and Chilean miners. A reminder of life's frailty. J x
ReplyDeletehi Ann I am just so sad about what has happened. What a terrible tragedy. I love the West Coast and have driven through Greymouth a few times. Just awful. NZ is having a bad year.... xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad day indeed. I can't even bear to read about it in the papers - it is too tragic for words. x
ReplyDeleteIt made me cry and makes us all realise just how precious life is and nothing should be taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteLeeann x
It made me cry too - I saw all the headshots in the paper and saw in my mind the mothers and wives standing behind them ... too sad Le
ReplyDeleteYes New Zealand has been hit so badly this year. Our thoughts with all of the West Coasters.
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