Personal message from Blackbird

[Blackbird]

Good news BB.... something like that would distrout me
glad you family is safe.. if you are coming down the coast..
call in for yak
good luck

Thanks Kev - sliding into oblivion right now, courtesy of some good merlot

[Fatt Max]

Fantastic news mate, FM family over the moon for you

[Robbo]

That is great news Geoff. Must be a big relief for your family.
Regards

[Paul in NZ]

Good news geoff. You must of done a good job raising him, smart lad anticipating the wave and getting out of there when he did... I suspect there is a family story to hand down here

[Marknz]

Very happy for you and your family, that is great news!

[Blackbird]

Urgghhhhh... hate hangovers but very happy indeed.

Our only communication after hearing that they were ok was a second call for money! Good old Western Union. We haven't got any more details yet and won't press them but as soon as we do hear, I'll post something. As you say Paul, I'm sure there will be quite a tale. We're hugely proud of all our kids and Lyndon's quick thinking on this occasion averted consequences that can't be contemplated.

[Patrick]

Urgghhhhh... hate hangovers but very happy indeed.

Our only communication after hearing that they were ok was a second call for money! Good old Western Union. We haven't got any more details yet and won't press them but as soon as we do hear, I'll post something. As you say Paul, I'm sure there will be quite a tale. We're hugely proud of all our kids and Lyndon's quick thinking on this occasion averted consequences that can't be contemplated.

Deserved hangover..... Bugger it, though....

Guess that proves all is back to normal, kids asking for $$$$ LOL.....

Look forward to the story. It'll be a goodun.

[crazyhorse]

Wonderful to hear your family are safe. My heart goes out to the families of those who were not so fortunate.

[blackkatana]

Good to hear that your family is safe, many not so fortunate and condolances to all those who have lost family and friends.

[Blackbird]

Just to complete this thread, we had a long talk to our family on the phone last night and were left with 2 strong impressions.

The first was just how close it was to an immense personal tragedy. The huge noise of solid objects like cars, bits of buildings etc getting tumbled over by the tsunami literally feet behind them as they ran, not daring to turn around and look until they reached a plateau on the hill they were sprinting for. It couldn't have been closer and they are grieving for the Australian couple in the next beach hut who lost their 2 year old. Simply unimaginable. I've encouraged them to write their story out as soon as they can, partly as a release therapy for them but also for our 2 year granddaughter as she won't remember any of it in due course. Knowing in the coming years that she had the gift of life bestowed on her again by her father's quick thinking is life-changing stuff.

The second impression is of the basic decency of the human race; it's just a pity that it gets buried for a lot of the time. Within an hour of the disaster, Samoan families, even those who had lost family members; were feeding and tending to survivors. I'm lost for words. Following on from that, the UN official who took our family into their home for the first night and the hotel who looked after them subsequently - everything they needed was just given, no questions asked and a point blank refusal for future reimbursement. Airport staff, Virgin Airlines..... all were simply magnificent. The family were met at Melbourne Airport by friends but when my son went back to collect his car at the airport the next day, even his parking charges were waived by the attendant. The only jarring note was the insurance company when he rang them. Not an ounce of compassion, initially demanding "proof" of loss of possessions until he lost it down the phone at them and even then, they were pretty ungracious. Even so, this doesn't detract at all from just how fantastic everyone was.

There'll be a substantial donation going to the Red Cross today.....

[Patrick]

Fantastic stuff. Aint too bad them Samoans eh? Good on the airlines and the airport parking attendant too. Just glad to hear your ordeal is over and has ended, with one hell of a life story to tell.

Just as a minor leveller... I am sure the insurance companies will be inundated with claims... some will be real. Some, sadly.........., will not be....

[Conquiztador]

Sweet! All the other bits can be replaced.

[Blackbird]

This is an old thread but thought I'd just add an event which is an example of Karma if ever there was one.

Our Melbourne-based son who was caught in the Samoan Tsunami disaster and lost everything but their lives posted this on Facebook this morning:

"My camera has washed up in Samoa with memory card intact. And the guy who found it tracked me down and is sending the pics to us!!!!!!!"

That's unbelievable and we can't wait to hear how he was tracked down!

[Ronin]

Wow! Thats just stunning.

[oldrider]

This is an old thread but thought I'd just add an event which is an example of Karma if ever there was one.

Our Melbourne-based son who was caught in the Samoan Tsunami disaster and lost everything but their lives posted this on Facebook this morning:

"My camera has washed up in Samoa with memory card intact. And the guy who found it tracked me down and is sending the pics to us!!!!!!!"

That's unbelievable and we can't wait to hear how he was tracked down!

Really puts a whole new slant on "message in a bottle" doesn't it!