The Final Toll

Rescuers saved nine people, four of them children, three puppies and recovered 29 bodies from Hotel Rigopiano. With the two people outside of the hotel, the ones who sounded the alarm, 11 people survived the powerful avalanche. Joy for some families, a deep sadness for others. John Donne wrote "Every man's death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind." So I pray for the families and friends of those who died. These days there is so much to pray for on every level. In my own family, my daughter is applying for grad school, another is having a baby and my eldest is getting married. I pray for safety for my oldest son, and for rest for my youngest. I lift up my friend so that she will find a home where people care about her. Along with the prayer, I need to take action, to advocate for what's right.