Tragedy

Tragedy--

Sorrow knows no nationality, gender, political party, ethnic group.  Sorrow is universal.

Tonight hundreds of people are grieving the loss of relatives and friends.  I am grieving the loss of human life.  I am grieving for the many families who are lost in a sea of sorrow.  A day that began with hopes and dreams ended quickly and violently.  Plans were in motion for all those aboard the fated plane.  Perhaps at the end of the flight people would reunite with family.  Maybe some were traveling for business.  Others were probably making connections for a long anticipated vacation.  Whatever the reason they were on that particular airliner,  those hopes, dreams and ambitions changed in the twinkling of an eye.

Many of us have done the very same thing.  Packed our suitcases, headed for the airport, stood in line to board, made our nests once we found our seat.  We took our computer or headsets to help pass the time as we raced across the sky in a silver bird.  Perhaps we took a book to read.  Knowing we would have a few hours, we might even finish the book.  My guess is we purchased coffee or snacks to enjoy should we need a boost.  We hoped for a smooth flight.  Bumpy flights are frightening.  At some point the book, computer, headphones were put away. We settled back with a neck pillow and blanket for a nap.

Probably those folks aboard the plane today were doing some of those same things.  They were killing time.  They had no idea they would actually be killed.  Simply writing those words makes me sick to my stomach.  In a flash life changed.  All those lives were silenced forever leaving those who loved them stunned. How could anyone do such a thing?

While authorities work to understand how this tragedy happened, people mourn.  They mourn the loss of love and life.  They mourn what might have been.  They mourn never looking into the eyes of those they loved.  They mourn.  They cry.  They remember.

For those of us who have another day on this earth, let us grab those we love and hug them.  Let us remember to be grateful for family and friends.  Let us reach beyond ourselves to comfort those within our space.  Let us not forget that we are all connected.  We are connected by our humanity to those families who mourn tonight.