We sang together as one connected community. In the bonds of love we meet. We came together in love. Love for our nation, love for each other, love for those we’ve lost this week. God defend our free land. We thought we were free of this type of violence. We have been shaken to our very core as a nation yet we are right to hold onto the hope that we will be free of it again. Guard Pacific’s triple star, from the shafts of strife and war. May we protect those within our borders from this hatred and violence we have seen this week. We do this by standing up against those who would seek to harm, by teaching the children of our nation to love. My voice broke as I tried to sing the words loudly.
Afterwards I asked if I could lead everyone in prayer for peace and comfort. This was followed by another person offering praying from another faith as well. One more person stepped up and suggested that we form a circle and join hands as we are here in this together. Such a powerful moment that I was able to share with my husband and children. Strangers standing united together in our grief and sadness. Hugs and handshakes were offered all around. We cried and questioned how this happened. We let ourselves feel and reach out to each other for support. Those hugs from strangers touched something deep in my soul today.
We cried and questioned how this happened. We let ourselves feel and reach out to each other for support. Those hugs from strangers touched something deep in my soul today.
So as we try to come to grips with what has happened in our country, let yourself feel. It is OK. It is OK to feel sad. It is OK to be angry. It is OK to be worried and hurting. It is also OK to enjoy your family and hug them a little closer. To enjoy the beautiful weather. We will move forward. Time will continue to move on. Yet we need to take a moment, whether it be at a vigil or alone in our homes, to acknowledge what happened here. To let it affect us and affect us deeply. For to be affected by something is to be human. Together we can say “no more”. They are us. We will not accept racism and violence in this country. We will not stand by as a friend makes a racist joke. We will stand with our brothers and sisters who are vulnerable and we will protect them.
We are New Zealand. We stand together.
Alison is a mother of 2 boys. Qualified as a babywearing consultant, post-natal fitness instructor, counsellor, and currently studying human development, she is passionate about creating healthy, thriving families with a particular focus on Attachment theory. She lives in a small town at the top of the South Island of New Zealand.
You can find more from Alison at her website, Together My Child.
Love to you all in New Zealand. So many prayers going your way ❤️