When I got home from work tonight, the first thing I saw on the internet was this yahoo story on the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.My first thought, was: I hope James Lileks and his family are okay.
It's funny how we can feel so connected to each other, even when such threads are tied across the ether of the internet. I've read his daily blog for so many years now, that I have grown to sincerely care about what happens to him, despite his being a total stranger to me.
We can look at the ruins of this bridge, and imagine ourselves in one of those cars buried underneath. We can shake from the horror of picturing ourselves standing on its periphery, waiting for news of loved ones trapped within the rubble. It may be different families, in a different city, in a different country, than our own, but somehow it is still us; we are still connected.
We are one. We see the tragedy, and it touches us, in our shared humanity.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, from Vancouver Canada.
1 comment:
As awful a catastrophe as this was, the story still serves up a humbling reminder of the greatness that is man.
Reading this morning of the various personal accounts from people at the collapse when it happened and in the aftermath, it is inspiring to find story after story of individual courage, resilience and compassion towards total strangers, even in the face of such shocking horror. Whether it is the actions of the official rescuers, or fellow citizens springing to selfless support of those in peril and those needing comfort, there is much goodness emerging in the shadows of this terrible event.
I hastily chose the world "nightmare" in the title of my post reflexively, but this morning I can see that it is truly a nightmare, to have something dependable and regular suddenly transformed, right beneath one's feet, into an impossible scenario of death and destruction. It's therefore reassuring, in the light of the new day, to discover that our faith in each other's potential capacity for goodness, our sense of fellowship, remains as intact as ever before.
Let's all spare a thought today for those who may still be waiting for news of missing loved ones, and a silent cheer for those who risk much to help find those who remain missing.
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