tsunami
Today marks a full year since the day the tsunami pounded the shores of several countries in Asia. It brought back waves of memories for those who were adversely affected. It was an event when mother nature had gone wild and I bet none of us would want to live to see it coming again.
Channel News Asia broadcasted a series of shows regarding the catastrophe, bringing especially those in Asia closer to the affected countries, affected people. Outstaniding tolls of population were wiped out in a single torrent of waves. What more, there were several waves when it happened on that day, on the 26th of December 2004. Houses were drowned, battered and shattered. Survivors were left with nothing much. On the contrary, they had only themselves, with seeds of new lives planted within each of their hearts.
There were immediate actions of finding their loved ones, of finding new ways of building homes, of finding different means of survival.
Through television, I witnessed the epitaph of the destructive waves of tsunami. It was indeed horrific. It was like a war zone only with the absence of weapons and scattered bodies. It's been a year and most bodies were given proper burial while others, buried under the piles of debris that are yet to be cleared. Large expanses of land were flattened and it gives rise to an emotion which is hard to describe. It was a mixture of peace and liberty but at the same time sorrow.
What struck me most were what were left behind of the tsunami and the stories that were retold by the survivors in particular of Banda Aceh. Among the structures left standing were mosques which to me and perhaps most of the Muslim community, is not very surprising. To many of us, it is just another sign of the power behold by the Almighty. It is just another indication to remind us who actually possess the true real power.
Even though it didn't came as a surprise, the facts and stories of it amazes me. There was this particular mosque about 20 metres inland from the shoreline, made of wood and planks and the damage sustained was only 10%. It was right smacked in the path of the towering waves and yet it did not collapse like many other buildings. According to one of the survivors who managed to seek shelter at that mosque, the level of water was only knee height in that area. I'm not sure as to whether it is the truth but the fact is, its made of wood and it still stands.
Another story tells us on how the waves actually split into 2 while it approaches another particular mosque. Similar to the one above, whether it's true or not, the place of worship still stands.
I've written in the part above with the intention of reminding myself to believe in what I had believe in. To have such an occurence in the middle of a disaster opens up my eyes, my mind and my heart. It strenghtens the faith that I have and closes up spaces for any qualms.
It will take many years more to rebuild the lives of those who were victimised. It is no doubt a terrible tragedy but I am sure it has its own positive effects and impacts especially on the people, not only for those who were affected but also for the rest of the world.
I admire those who actually stand back up on their feet and pursue their life as normal as possible. Especially for the kids, seeing them smiling and having fun with their friends makes me wonder, what is so tough about our lives as compared to theirs? I can't imagine what would happen if one day, reversal roles were to be played upon those kids and the children of Singapore. Maybe Singaporean children will just cower in fear and pee in their pants. I must say we aren't really tt independent. Since young, most of us are placed in a system and have the luxury of just focusing and flowing through it. I don't know. There are just some questions whose answers are of non-existence. Its either that or the human minds are just to weak to grasp or fathom them.
Best wishes to all.
Channel News Asia broadcasted a series of shows regarding the catastrophe, bringing especially those in Asia closer to the affected countries, affected people. Outstaniding tolls of population were wiped out in a single torrent of waves. What more, there were several waves when it happened on that day, on the 26th of December 2004. Houses were drowned, battered and shattered. Survivors were left with nothing much. On the contrary, they had only themselves, with seeds of new lives planted within each of their hearts.
There were immediate actions of finding their loved ones, of finding new ways of building homes, of finding different means of survival.
Through television, I witnessed the epitaph of the destructive waves of tsunami. It was indeed horrific. It was like a war zone only with the absence of weapons and scattered bodies. It's been a year and most bodies were given proper burial while others, buried under the piles of debris that are yet to be cleared. Large expanses of land were flattened and it gives rise to an emotion which is hard to describe. It was a mixture of peace and liberty but at the same time sorrow.
What struck me most were what were left behind of the tsunami and the stories that were retold by the survivors in particular of Banda Aceh. Among the structures left standing were mosques which to me and perhaps most of the Muslim community, is not very surprising. To many of us, it is just another sign of the power behold by the Almighty. It is just another indication to remind us who actually possess the true real power.
Even though it didn't came as a surprise, the facts and stories of it amazes me. There was this particular mosque about 20 metres inland from the shoreline, made of wood and planks and the damage sustained was only 10%. It was right smacked in the path of the towering waves and yet it did not collapse like many other buildings. According to one of the survivors who managed to seek shelter at that mosque, the level of water was only knee height in that area. I'm not sure as to whether it is the truth but the fact is, its made of wood and it still stands.
Another story tells us on how the waves actually split into 2 while it approaches another particular mosque. Similar to the one above, whether it's true or not, the place of worship still stands.
I've written in the part above with the intention of reminding myself to believe in what I had believe in. To have such an occurence in the middle of a disaster opens up my eyes, my mind and my heart. It strenghtens the faith that I have and closes up spaces for any qualms.
It will take many years more to rebuild the lives of those who were victimised. It is no doubt a terrible tragedy but I am sure it has its own positive effects and impacts especially on the people, not only for those who were affected but also for the rest of the world.
I admire those who actually stand back up on their feet and pursue their life as normal as possible. Especially for the kids, seeing them smiling and having fun with their friends makes me wonder, what is so tough about our lives as compared to theirs? I can't imagine what would happen if one day, reversal roles were to be played upon those kids and the children of Singapore. Maybe Singaporean children will just cower in fear and pee in their pants. I must say we aren't really tt independent. Since young, most of us are placed in a system and have the luxury of just focusing and flowing through it. I don't know. There are just some questions whose answers are of non-existence. Its either that or the human minds are just to weak to grasp or fathom them.
Best wishes to all.