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Yesterday afternoon, staying in the dormitory, I, all of a sudden, felt everything was shaking: a small but frightening earthquake! And this reminded me of another experience of earthquake.
Many years ago, when a serious earthquake befell on Taiwan, my hometown was influenced due to the geologically closeness. What happened that night deeply impressed in my memory like a terrible nightmare, never going far away from me.
It was a cold deep night when everybody was sleeping soundly in the warm bed. Then suddenly the bed shook violently without any omen, and I felt as if sleeping in a traveling train in the dream. After a few seconds, owing to loud noises, I woke up with drowsy eyes. Then after ferociously feeling everything shaking like a swing, I sprang to my feet, rushed out of house and hurried downstairs to the ground with my family.
When we went to the ground, I was also scared. The earth was still shaking like an angry monster. All the people came out of the house, waiting outside for the sake of safe. At that time I was wondering what would happen if the building fell down or the land broke open. Would I die? With an definite answer, I was covered by fear. And surrounded by the cold wintry air, I was trembling with cold, hungry, and fear.
At that time, I did not hear the sound of the city but the beat of my heart. I asked myself, “What am I afraid of?” Death? Yes, death is horrible. But after facing with death, I know what is important to me in the world, neither money nor power, but life and family. Life is precious and we have only one life. Living with family is most great happiness in the world. Every year disasters such as earthquake, flood, and hurricane, have taken away so many lives and caused so many people homeless. Compared to them, I am lucky and happy. And compared to life and family, any other things are not vital any more. So please cherish you life and love you family! |
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