Before we get started…
On Tuesday at 6:00pm we meet at the Two Before Ten Denman. People usually start arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the starting time for a stretch and chat. If you're coming alone, get in touch and keep an eye out for one of our volunteers.
Not again…
The noise was deafening… I grabbed the kids and ran for the bathroom. I told them to jump into the bath and I grabbed a mattress to shield us from the house collapsing around us.
I laid on top of the kids with the mattress on my back and I could feel the weight of our house falling around us and on us. Time seemed to stand still and as each second dragged on, I was relieved we were still alive but terrified of what was to come.
The noise started to soften, and when I could hear my kids breathe, I started to push my way out of the rubble… When we finally emerged, it was devastating… everything was gone… again.
A tale of two rebuilds
On Christmas Day in 1974, Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, destroying 70% of the city and taking 66 lives. It was just over 30 years since the Darwin Bombing during World War II, where more than 235 people perished, and nearly 400 wounded.
There were people that lived through both of these events, that became pillars of the Darwin community, and I can’t help but think there’s somewhat of a hangover from these two tragedies, that makes Darwin so laid back.
A new perspective
Losing everything twice would put things into perspective… It would sharpen your focus on what matters, as being so close to darkness can often help you see all the glimmers of light.
I was visiting Darwin recently, and I watched in disbelief as young kids stood at the waters edge, fishing for lunch… with no doubt in my mind about the countless crocodiles lurking near the shore thinking the same…
How long before I’d let my kids do the same… when would I adjust?
A perspective that helped me through my hardest struggle was one where I’d either overcome what I was facing, or I’d just learn to live with it and find a new baseline to deviate from.
Amidst the Giant Crocodiles and Deadly Irukandji, I’m fascinated by the apparent adjustment that locals make to the lurking dangers… But I’m not surprised… People are resilient…
Maybe not always through bouncing back… but through enduring… or adaptation…
What do you think?
Got a story?
If it were up to us, we wouldn’t write another article… We want to be community-led, we want this to be our community’s microphone, and if you have a story or perspective you’d like to share, please email hello@runningforresilience.com