After what seemed like an eternity, L.A.F.D. search and rescue workers finally made their way to finding my roommate and I. And not a moment too soon. Our hopes of survival were fading fast. But we knew we must hold on just a little longer. How lucky I'm that I woke up a minute before it all this started. I guess in his own way, God gave me the opportunity to get my ass out of bed, or that's how I think of it! I just keep thinking about that over an over again.
What if I hadn't woke up or just rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep?? Would I've been able to get out of bed? So many questions. There was so much running through my mind that day and a long time to think too. We were both very lucky, I think we both helped each other that morning. I was Jerry's ears and he was my voice, if that makes any sense. How I was thinking about my family and how many things I hadn't put a closure on....one of the big ones was Mom and I. Another was how many friendships I have written off due to them not staying in touch with me, it's a two way street!! I've contacted some of them letting them know just how important their friendship is to me. I guess time will tell just how important I'm to them.
I can remember laying there in pain, not really sure where it was coming from, my head bleeding....praying a lot to God to help us. Trying to get out of that position and on the floor, there was so much more room there. Thinking to myself, Steve you have to stay awake, fighting off the pain, trying not to pay attention to it. It seems like it was a lot longer that 6 hours. Jerry seems to think it was closer to 7, but I have no idea. It sure was great to see the light when I finally got out of there. Jerry kept saying to me get comfortable we might be here awhile.
Hearing noises and voices above us, hearing the fire trucks, getting excited and depressed all at the same time. So much time to think, pray and re-think about so many things. I can remember knowing it was a quake right away, trying so hard to get to the doorway...without much luck. I'm sure lucky that I never made it out to the kitchen or to the shower, right? It would've been a lot harder for me to be found!! To be trapped alive is one of my biggest fears!! Hearing all those noises, the sounds of things falling, settling, creaking or whatever it was. Those sounds I'll never forget! I keep thinking that my new birthday is January 17th, I got a second chance that day!!
Here are some more photos of the damages earthquakes cause.