We Are One

The front page of our morning newspaper with the poignant illustration by Wellington artist Ruby Jones.

Today the National Remembrance Service was held in Christchurch. I watched on Television. It was very moving. The Muslim leaders, who might have reacted with outrage, instead offered peace and love, and allowed the rest of us mourn with them. A little girl said her lost father’s name into the microphone, saying he was a good man. Our prime minister, Jacinda Adern, spoke simply, but powerfully.

As with most of New Zealand I have been devastated that something like this could happen in our peaceful little country. It’s heartening that the two words that have come to the fore are Peace and Love.