Monday, March 14, 2011

Unpredictable Puddles In Our World

THE ENTIRE WORLD MUST BE SHAKEN by the unfathomable destruction caused by the 8.9 magnitude quake in the coastal area of Japan and the subsequent tsunamis that swept away everything in its path. Houses and cars looked like toys in the grip of the monster wave that spread across the Pacific Ocean. My sympathy went to the victims as I watched the televised images in horror from faraway coastal BC. Occurring only weeks after the earthquake in Christchurch, NZ, it is yet another tragic reminder that life can change in an instant. The fragile nature of our existence is all too clear during such times.

Parts of coastal BC that are not in my area were included in the tsunamis aftermath warnings. Such events remind me some seismic experts say a major destructive quake will likely happen in our lifetimes in BC. It seems trivial now that just last week my thoughts were only on spring during my visit to Crescent Beach in South Surrey. According to my gopher-esque shadow (pictured above) and the engraving in a rock about low tides, the warmer season is near.

I was far from imagining an earthquake or a wall of water rolling indifferently over homes, people and animals. In my world, the sun cast a harmless blanket of silver sheen over unruffled waters. The sunshine and calm were an exception to the chilly rain and gusty winds we experienced most of the week.

Some grasses were not as frail as they looked. Their flexible stems helped them survive the winter.

I was glad that the weather-beaten beach would soon be regenerated.

There was barely a breeze to move the slender grasses.

Their deceptively delicate natures were both elastic and sturdy as steel.

Puffs of clouds hung like faint cotton balls on the blue rim of Semiahmoo Bay.

The sky, receding water and rocky shore were peaceful but unpredictable. From a distance I saw large puddles had formed within the gooey sand.

I envisioned my daughter's Penelope Puddle creation, with her little umbrella, fitting into some idyllic Crescent Beach scene. That old saying, every path has its puddle, has special meaning in my world where the fictional character frequently comes alive in my mind as I wander.

I was blissfully unaware of the Japan earthquake to come. I could not foresee what would happen on March 11th. But as stories from suffering and shocked victims emerge, the dignified strength and quiet resilience of survivors is clear. Much like slender grasses trampled on a beach, it seems safe to predict the people will reenergize and reconstruct to tread brighter paths in the future.

Explorers can find more sites from around the globe at My World.

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful series of photos!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful images which you put to a use other than what you originally intended.
    You are right, we go about our lives ignorant of the tragedies faced by others. These major catastrophes we learn of in due time but other, smaller tragedies occur daily to individuals and go unnoticed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful photos. I live on the coast in earthquake country too but I never forget that it can happen. I don't like living like that in a state of anxiety but that's me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post and beautiful scenery. Your photos are great. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So lovely, my dear friend. I do love Crescent Beach, and I share your shock and sadness about the devastation across the sea.
    Luv, K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a beautiful and moving post for the day! I love your photos and such a breathtaking place! And like Martha, I see your lovely captures put to a different use than what you originally had in mind. Tragedies are and do happen around us every day, unnoticed -- not the monster storms that hit Japan, but just as damaging to many individuals. I send my prayers and good thoughts to you today. May your week go well!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful post and great photos. I sometimes worry about that area - I have relatives in Seattle and I'm not sure that they're ready for the mega-quake that's forecast.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful shots. Even I saw the images and videos of tsunami in Japan. It was very unfortunate.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are so right. Knowing life can change in an instant, we must respect life for what it is in every moment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There are a lot of mothers burying their children.

    My husband thinks the nuclear fallout may blow to America. I hope it won't.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope the quakes leave people in peace for a long time to come. The world has had enough. Nice to see the beauty on your beach. Very serene. I hope you get a beautiful spring

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful thoughts and photos. I do hope the gentle people of Japan will find their way to a better future - and soon!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you all for stopping by.

    To Ann: I wouldn’t be surprised if the nuclear fallout blew to North America. We are a global community and winds know no borders. Matter is never destroyed, although it changes its form. I’ve also thought that exploding bombs on the planet doesn’t just damage a single region but effects the entire globe and could contribute to and hasten earthquakes. We are one world and foolish not to treat it with more respect.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These beautiful images of Crescent Beach are like a home visit for me. I have family living less than a mile from that beach and have often walked it (even posted some pics some months ago). We are on the same page about Mother Nature's recent capricious moods. My heart aches for victims in every devastated area.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful post...I am a fool for grasses on the beach. I'm not sure why, but your post made me feel better. Must be that "every path has its puddle" statement from your books!

    Even though my family is on high ground, I worry. I lived through the 1964 tsunami in Port Alberni. It wasn't anywhere near the size of the Japan tsunami yet it did so much unbelievable damage.

    And this morning I hear it is getting worse with the nuclear reactors. And all I can do is pray and watch it all unfold..

    ReplyDelete
  16. Grasses look fragile but is strong as they know how to bend not so as to break.

    Thanks for your warm thoughts to my last post. Actually it’s quite difficult to let anxiety go, but at a time like this, I think it’s important to go on our usual life, never forgetting smiles, believing in workers who frantically try to fix problems risking their lives, tolerating inconvenience if there is, while cooperating anything we can do.

    Thank you for being a follower. I'd like to keep up with you, as I used to. I'll visit again when possible.

    ReplyDelete

YOUR THOUGHTS add colour to the content and are always much appreciated.