It felt like a year, but was only about a minute

I think anyone who has never experienced an earthquake can truly imagine or understand what goes on in your mind while it is happening.  Most of us within the past week and a half have had more shocking footage fed to us with the help of technology through news and internet social media sites than ever before.  In some cases, it is inconsolable.

When I lived in Southern California from 2002-2005, I experienced a light 4.8 M earthquake September 3, 2002, but nonetheless, an earthquake.  I was living in Irvine with a family who rented me a room for $500 a month.  My bedroom was upstairs facing the street.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was sitting at my computer hutch and it was about midnight.  Not sure what I was doing up that night.  But I was up, on line surfing the net.

I actually heard it before I felt it. The walls grumbled.  Almost like someone was drag racing outside.  Before I knew it, my bedroom began to waggle.  I sat there thinking, "OK, the house is rocking from side to side.  I'm in an earthquake".  I became immobilized, eyes fixed on my monitor, in a complete daze.  I couldn't move.  It felt like eternity, thoughts flashing through my mind that if the earth split its belly open, I might get swallowed up.  Before I knew it, the house ceased moving, however, my computer monitor was still rocking back and forth.  It creaked.  I stared into the screen, but looked into nothingness.  I was jolted back into reality, grabbing the monitor so it would stop.  I doubt I was even breathing during the entire episode.  How could one think to breath with the thought of potential imminent death ensuing?  

My earthquake experience was nothing compared to that which happened about 5pm Tuesday January 12, 2010.  Not many people in this generation will ever forget that day.  I know I wont.  Trying to pull away from the "train wreck" and see something positive, I stumbled upon a CNN IReporter's behind the scence footage at JKF capturing the return of Americans on a flight from Miami to New York.  Her name is TonyaTko. 
The video is a bit long, but shares a variety of testimonies from the folks as they arrived back to New York.  I think I've seen a video or two of hers on youtube.  Be encouraged, be inspired, be filled with hope, but please know there is plenty work to be done.  Plenty. I gave $50 to the Red Cross last week.  I don't think this will be my last time giving.  Just gotta space it out.  If you can give, if only $5+, a week, a pay check, a month, please do. You can give to the Bush/Clinton Help For Haiti Fund or the Red Cross.