Remembering the 2010 Earthquake: Me, My Baby, My Family

Me, My Baby, My Family

by Pamela Lagos

Saturday, Feb 27th, 3:00am. It was dark. I finished breastfeeding my little baby girl and put her on my chest to sleep.

I started to feel it, the movement, and I smiled. I have felt so many earthquakes in my life that I never worry about them. They always just pass. I decided to wake up my husband before the earthquake did so he didn’t freak out. I moved his shoulder saying: “Wake up and don’t worry, it’s only an earthquake!”

Photo: Pamela Lagos

The earthquake wasn’t stopping, and wasn’t slowing down either. He woke up and ran upstairs to get the two kids and took them outside. I grabbed the baby and stood under the frame of the door of our bedroom. All the windows opened and started slamming. I heard glass breaking behind me.

My husband returned and I gave him the baby and moved outside with the rest of the family. My brain was still not able to understand why the earthquake was still going, still growing stronger. It should have stopped by now.

I turned my head and watched big waves leaping out of the pool. I kept feeling the wet grass under my bare feet and the movement kept going on and on. I was full of adrenaline but my brain gave the order to remain calm and peaceful so I could transmit that peace to the rest of my family.

Our dogs ran away even before the earthquake started. I kept thinking that they have a powerful instinct that takes them to some safe place.

Where did they go? Where is that safe place so I can take my family there? I was told later that they just ran away without any control. There is no magic solution.

We went back inside – no electricity, no water, no telephone. We passed the rest of the night and the next day listening to a local radio station.

We were sure that Chile was fine, just fine. All our family and friends were fine, we were fine.

Days after, I realized that everything wasn’t just fine. I realized how damaged my country was. I realized that there is nothing that I can do to stop this from happening again… that I can’t control it, I’m just a normal woman. But I’m so grateful for everything that I have, and because of that I have the chance to somehow make a difference on this planet.

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