It’s hard to know how to put today into words. Like many other kiwis living away from New Zealand, I’ve been in shock ever since I woke up and saw the breaking news on the BBC. Trying to understand it all and grasp the reality of what has happened is almost impossible. Things like this don’t happen in our small island nation. To me, it didn’t seem real, until I walked into my underground station. Right there on the front page of the Evening Standard newspaper, the horrific reality of events. All the world’s eyes were watching. The country I now call home was focused on my beautiful home country.
Attending the vigil at the New Zealand memorial tonight in London was heartbreaking. We stood united, side by side, with heavy hearts and faces of disbelief. Together in one place, yet apart from friends and family in another. With wreaths laid down and waiatas sung, the small lights illuminated throughout the flowers, a small yet continuous flicker of light in the midst of the darkness. It’s hard not to think about the innocent lives that were taken in those moments. Men, women and children. Taken too soon. Never to know their potential of their dreams.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”
– Martin Luther King Jr
Today will be remembered as one of our darkest days. Yet, if we let darkness take over, we don’t gain anything. Love will always win over hate. Much like that flicker of light, even though it is small it can instantly cut through the darkest of nights.
Sending hugs & smiles,
Vanessa
