The Gallery: ‘Black and White’ mourning the loss of twenty nine brave souls

BritMumInNZ

A shadow over our thoughts on a sunny day

The theme on ‘The Gallery‘ this week is ‘Black and White‘. I had lots of ideas for this, from piano keys to black ink on a white page, but the saddest news has shadowed all my thoughts.

Since Friday the whole of New Zealand has been caught up in the plight of twenty nine miners on the West Coast of the South Island, at Pike River coal mine. After an explosion on Friday anxious families, co-workers, friends and rescue teams have waited to see if the all clear would be given to send in a rescue team. No one knew if the trapped miners were alive, but the risk of another explosion and dangerous toxic gas levels made it too dangerous to send anyone in. It’s been a painfully long few days of agony for everyone involved. Today the most devastating news broke that a large second explosion in the mine has resulted in the death of all twenty nine miners.

I don’t personally know any of the miners, but I feel sick in the guts and my heart goes out to all those involved. Greymouth is a small, close-knit community and this news is tragically sad. The fall out of grief will affect generations.

Here at home we’ve all been enjoying sunshine and family life, but our thoughts have been constantly with the miners and their families. It doesn’t seem the right time to be posting up sunshine photographs of us frolicking at the beach and playing in the garden. Life must go on, but today we are pausing to mourn the loss of twenty nine brave men and send our love to all those grieving.

Today I turned my camera on to self-timer, cradled my baby in my arms and reached out to the new life growing in my garden, whilst saying a prayer for those brave souls who have tragically passed on. So very, very sad.

Related posts

22 thoughts on “The Gallery: ‘Black and White’ mourning the loss of twenty nine brave souls”

  2. such a sad sad day – always held onto to hope. So many lives lost husbands sons brothers – makes you want to hold yours a bit closer, for there are so many who can’t anymore. Said many prayers for them over the past few days and will keep on saying them for the families left behind.

  5. This morning I was just …. sad….then when I heard the news of the second explosion, I was in denial….surely there is a chance of survival….now I guess I am accepting it and just feel so much for the families. Everything pales in the light of this tragedy.

  6. That is so moving,
    When I first heard the news of them being trapped I thought all would be well (like the cuban miners) but then when the sad news came this morning I just feel numb. My thoughts are with their families.
    BNM

  7. Beautifully written. Such horrible news to wake up to here in England. Our memories of home are full of light and brightness, of sunshine and laughter. Like you, I’m pausing today to share in our nation’s public grief. I hope you don’t mind if I link my blog post here..I just didn’t have the words to express my sadness, all I have is my Aroha http://www.vegemitevix.com/2010/11/public-grief/

  8. Our hearts indeed go out to all the families at this very sad time…you have written a very moving tribute our love.

  9. Such beautiful words. Made even more poignant by this mornings devastating news of the second explosions. A lovely and fitting tribute xx

  10. I think you have said it before on your blog, that sometimes you hear news via blogs rather than conventional broadcasts. I’m discovering about the second explosion here, from you. Such sad news. It is a beautiful tribute.

  14. It was the worst of days yesterday – I’d been holding out for a miracle. This is a wonderful post – I’ve found some of the media coverage ghoulish and switched off. Like you they have been in my thoughts for days – I hope that they can now be rescued and rest in peace.

  15. Indeed a beautiful tribute on this saddest of days. Love the picture which leaves so much to the imagination, especially Alice’s wee foot poking out.

  18. Yes dreadful news. Terrible for all those poor guys. The youngest of them, Joseph Dunbar, most poignantly sums up the tragedy for me. Just 17 years old – turned 17 last week – and his first day down the mine. Only been there for an hour when the first explosion happened. Now possibly entombed forever. Life snuffed out before it had barely begun. Rest in peace now Joseph. We grieve for you and for all your mates. For always.

Comments are closed.