Lexi Call

Hope

On April 25, 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Kathmandu, Nepal also effecting India, China, and Bhaktapur. This damaging earthquake is known as the Gorkha earthquake killing over 9,000 people, injuring more than 20,000. This earthquake caused the kind of damage that wiped away homes and flattened entire villages/cities leaving thousands of people homeless and in critical condition. Because of the lack of quality in home structure, the estimated total damage is said to be up to five billion US dollars. Gorkha was caused by plate underthrusts making it predictable by where Nepal sits. There were multiple aftershocks reaching up to 7.4 magnitudes including another large aftershock an entire month later. Because of these after waves hitting once again, the tragedies were prolonged and the country continued to crumble. In a current event photo on CNN.com, the caption read, “a 4-month old boy found in the rubble of his home after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Bhaktapur, Nepal. the baby survived in the debris for 22 hours.”

When I first saw this picture, the young child’s expression quickly drew my attention first. I studied the dust and dirt on his forehead and cheeks to his battered clothes. I sympathized his squinted yes and tiny tightly quenched fists. Down his body, my eyes are taken to the hands lifting him up, also covered in dust from digging through rubble. There are multiple hands reaching the child upward, all holding onto him one way or another. Down the arms I see sleeves with the camouflage pattern. Because of the focus of the picture, I am not able to tell who’s arm belongs to which body. I can only see the tops of 5 different heads. All men wearing possible service clothes and a man with a hard helmet. There are two faces in the picture where you can see their expressions best: the baby and one man to the left. My attention was switched to him next after the baby boy. His mouth making a strong “O” with half closed eyes as if he were singing, rejoicing, mourning, calming, soothing, or even praising. 

This baby is now considered a living miracle. A gift from a higher being, or maybe just a simple sign of hope for these people who have witnessed ample amounts of death. In these poor conditions, as seen in the photograph, no baby only four months of age could live through this devastation. The grounds where he laid could not sustain such young life, yet he was an example of what could be called revelation. The blurred background of a crumbled brick building and the piles of debris laying next to the shattered frame make you question how this tiny human survived the heaviness of death surrounding him. Perhaps, the way they are raising him above the tops of heads towards the sky is a symbol of life. They are rejoicing with one another and the/a God(s). All with ideas in their minds of this child’s purpose in life and what he could have survived for exactly. 

Reflecting on this photo, I feel peace. There was destruction, loss, heartbreak, hate, tragedy, and death.. but this one small moment that was taken to reflect on a miracle brings me a sense of peace. Not only do I feel peace but also hope. The hope that all who were around to witness this unbelievable happening were also feeling this while amidst despair. Despite the question of where this child’s family is and whether or not they are still alive, this little baby boy was meant to live for a reason. Going almost an entire day’s hour’s without the nurturing needed for a brand new small child like himself. I witness this through a computer screen on sources of flashing news and latest events also feeling this hope the child has created for thousands. In our human nature, we’re desperate to make the dusty and slightly broken baby feel love and safety after long treacherous hours. Also knowing this baby will grow up as a miracle giving love back to the world who is desperate their whole lives for it. God places angels in our darkest times in life reminding us to hold on and this soon to be man will grow up as a symbol of that.