Earthquake in the midwest
Friday, April 18th, 2008“In the winter of 1811-12, the central Mississippi Valley was struck by three of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history. Even today, this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.”
Reference
This morning I was reminded that just because I don’t live in California does not mean I don’t have to worry about the ground shaking things apart. My first warning at 5:37am EST was my cat, who likes to sleep on my ankles at night, tearing off the bed, slamming into a wall and dashing for the door. He sounded like a person running down our stairs. My bed and our house shook for a good 10 seconds.
I remember years ago about the scare of the New Madrid fault line letting loose a big one again back around the late 80’s. Nothing happened of course. I say “of course” because predicting such things is chancy on the best of days. I believe the scientist that it will happen … soon. However, “soon” is relative to the thing that is doing the action. “Soon” to my teenager is RIGHT NOW! When my wife hears me say “soon”, she knows it won’t be today. “Soon” from the earth’s perspective could be a hundred years give or take a few decades.
We can’t live in fear of things that are beyond our control and expect to live life with a sense of contentment about what we are doing. I am still more likely to suffer injury from driving down the road than an earthquake. Make sure that today you are building someone up, that you are taking time to truly listen to your kids, to your spouse, to your family.
Don’t let today go by without giving them a hug, taking a walk with them or listening to what they have to say. Put some action to your feelings.
Update:
11:16am - I do believe that an aftershock has hit. Lasted about 15 seconds.