As I left work tonight, a little later than normal, I walked towards a young girl and her mother.
This young girl, about 6 years old, startled, like a deer in headlights, and looked across at me with fear in her eyes.
I wanted to throw my arms around her and tell her it was ok, she was safe.
But I can’t do that.
The world has changed.
Christchurch has changed.
Suddenly and violently.
I left work late because the central city was in lock down.
As I write this, 49 innocent lives have been taken, 48 innocent people, adults and children, injured.
20 of those critical.
12 acute operating theatres are currently in action with multidisciplinary teams working to try and save those lives.
49 people got up this morning who won’t go to their beds tonight.
The first responders, who were there on February 2011, first on the scene of the devastating earthquakes, were there again today.
At a scene I can’t begin to imagine.
Gunmen walked into two mosques and opened fire.
On innocent vulnerable people, going about their daily lives, not harming anyone. Peaceful, kind, compassionate people.
Praying.
Those first responders, who were there risking their lives, not knowing how many more gunmen were still at large, showed acts of bravery and courage that is hard to comprehend.
I don’t understand.
I don’t understand any of it.
What gives these gunmen the right to believe they are better than others.
To believe that they can take the lives of those whom they don’t agree with.
How dare they?
I don’t understand racism.
I don’t understand hatred.
I’m confused and bewildered.
I don’t feel safe.
I’m incredibly sad.
This is not New Zealand.
This is not my homeland of Australia.
This is not right.
Diversity, kindness, compassion.
This is who we are.
This city has changed forever.
Christchurch is hurting.
Again.
Kia Kaha Christchurch.
Stay Strong.
MaureenBetty 
So well said Kim. I, too, do not understand. Thoughts and prayers to you and your beautiful city and country.
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Thanks Terri.
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Words cannot describe how I feel about this despicable act of sheer madness.
I can only say that they the haters will never win, they will never beat us,
We are in the more than the 99% of good people.
They, the haters are the other less than 1% of the community.
Just like the two Bourke Street and the Flinders Street acts of madness in Melbourne we will be strong.
We moved on with our lives.
The families of those killed or maimed will never get over what has happened.
Their lives have changed forever.
Like Melbourne, Christchurch will move on.
We have to, we cannot let the haters change the way we live.
Bob.
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Thank you Bob, well said.
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