So, I have to admit I was a little nervous about Easter this year. Some of you may or may not remember, but last year on Easter was when the Baja Quake hit Mexico. I live in Southern California, more specifically I live in a border town right across from Mexico. When the 7.2 earthquake hit last year it impacted these border towns just as bad as it impacted Mexico. I have to say that was one of the most terrifying experiences I've had. I don't have the picture I took of the rooms and houses and how messed up everything was, but trust me, it was bad. So, in my Writing class, my teacher wanted us to write a narrative essay about an experience we would never forget. The first thing that popped into my head was Easter last year. It was the perfect topic because Easter was just around the corner and I remember every second leading up to it and there after. So, if your interested in reading, here's my essay:
Surprise, fear and nervousness struck my heart on what was supposed to be a day filled with family laughter and the enjoyment of each other’s company. For my family, it was a gathering like any other. Little did we know our lives were about to be turned upside down. What surprised me was not the trembling, but the rocking ground beneath my feet. Fear overcame me when I thought everything would come crumbling down around me. I became overwhelmingly nervous thinking of what could happen to my loved ones and our homes. These three powerful emotions I experienced on Easter 2010 has stuck with me ever since.
On Easter morning I had just finished a three day cleaning spree in my room. I was sitting on my unmade bed, flustered, trying to get ready for the family get together. As I was applying my make-up I saw my mom pass my bedroom.
"Mom?" I called to her.
She back tracked to the doorway. "What's up?"
"Can we go to Rite-Aid before grandmas? I need batteries for my camera."
She gave me a long thoughtful look before answering, "If you hurry up, I'll take you."
With that I sped up the process and was on my way out the door in no time.
I was at my grandma's house for a short while, two minutes maybe, when I pulled four month old Jaden up into my arms. I was holding him when one of my aunts, Rosa, walked into the kitchen and Jaden started reaching for her.
"Hey papas!" She cooed to him.
I willingly handed him off to her before she walked back outside to join most of the family that had already resided there.
The only people left in the house besides myself were my father, Cesar, my uncle, Mauricio, and my grandma, Mary. I sat on the couch in the living room and started toying with my camera when I felt vibrations coming from beneath my feet. At first, I thought that it may be a large truck passing by, but those doubts faded as the vibrations became more intense. My father who was visible to me in the kitchen stopped talking mid-conversation and looked at me.
"Is that an earthquake?" His question was directed at me.
"I think so," I replied in a whisper that was barely audible to myself.
Short seconds passed when a decent jolt made the four of us freeze in place. I made my way to the kitchen and stood them with them. The rocking started slowly and subtly, only fooling us before we got hit with a stronger jolt. Next to me was a water dispenser on top of it was five gallon water bottle. It wobbled as the rocking became more distinct. I held onto it, not wanting it to make a mess on my grandmother’s floors. Finally, there was a stronger jolt that knocked me off balance. I realized how serious this earthquake had become and I let go of the water bottle and watched as it flew four feet away. My fear set in as the water poured out onto the kitchen floor.
When I turned my attention from the spilled water back to my surroundings, I noticed that my father and uncle were already halfway out the back door. I saw my grandma in front of the kitchen sink gripping onto the edge of the counter.
"Grandma," I nearly shouted as I stumbled over to her.
She did not respond.
"Grandma, " I tried again. "Come on, let's go outside." I strived to sound calm despite the fear I felt with every breath I took.
After a couple failed attempts to get her to move on her own, I knew I had no other option.
"Grandma, we have to go!" I yelled at her and pried her frail hands from the counter's edge. I had my arm around her, pulling her because shock prevented her from moving her feet on her own.
When we got to the doorway, I was confused as to why it was blocked. Looking over shoulders in front of me, I could see my aunt, Maria, frantically trying to get inside. Meanwhile; my dad and uncle are standing in front of her, trying to keep balance.
I looked to my right into the kitchen at the same time there was another jolt. At that moment, cabinet doors swung open. Plates, pots and cans of food streamed out falling seven feet onto the floor. A hot pot of tea flew across the room and landed with a bang accompanying the sounds of metal hitting tile and broken glass. With growing panic, I focused again on getting out of the house that once felt like a sanctuary and now felt like a trap. I reached around the bodies in front of me until my hand found my aunts sheer, frilly blouse. And with all the force I could find, I shoved her and yelled, "Move!"
It all really set in when I got out. I got my grandma and myself to an open area in the backyard, where my mom stood holding onto my bother whose nickname is Bobo. I was feeling a little relieved to be out in the open when I felt my grandma grip onto my wrist. I saw she had done the same thing to Bobo. She was already on her knees and with strength I did not know she had, she pulled my brother and myself onto the ground next to her.
She looked at me directly and said, "We need to pray, pray with me, Madre."
I nodded then turned back to face the house. It swayed from side to side. I had never seen anything like it before. I was sure it would fall. My eyes moved from the house to my family. It was like watching a movie in slow motion, all the sounds blurred together, screaming, tears running from eyes to chin, cradling the young children and shouting out names to make sure we were all together. With that, I held onto my grandma's hand and prayed.
The shaking had stopped momentarily and we were all silent. That is when out nerves had solidified. Not knowing what to do, we called out to each other again to make sure no one was inside the house. With a sudden realization I looked up at my mom.
"Mom, my cats!"
I had just remembered my one and three year old cats were home and probably as scared and confused as I was. In one swift movement I was standing and out of my grandmother's grasp. I heard her call to me not to go inside the house, but it was too late. I stopped dead in the doorway, the same doorway I had fought so hard to get out of just moments earlier. It was heartbreaking to see my grandma's home, a heartwarming place, a second home to all of us covered in broken glass, spilt food and fallen family photographs. Although this killed me, there was nothing I could do to change it, but I was a nervous wreck thinking about my helpless animals and just need to get to them somehow.
My mom drove me home in my grandma's car where we met my father and another aunt of mine, Irene. They were already inside searching for our scared cats. By instinct, I walked straight to my room. I could barely recognize my surroundings. My bedroom looked like it had been turned upside down. Boxes and books that had been placed strategically on the shelves in my closet were now on the floor. My television and three by four foot mirror that used to be on my dresser lay broken on the floor. My bookshelf was still standing, but it was bare. Shelves and everything the resided on them lay in front of me on the floor.
Days, weeks and months later we still had aftershocks. I could not go into my bedroom after that for at least a month, not even to sleep. These days, with every shake and tremble I am reminded of Easter 2010 and the emotions that ran through me that day and many days after. But it did not teach me to be surprised, afraid or nervous. It taught me to be prepared because anything can happen and any time.
On a lighter note!
Here's a little video I did for you all, I hope you enjoy and HAPPY EASTER!
Much Love,
Jaz<3
