A Bad Day

The day got off to a bad start when I turned on the radio and heard about a massacre in Pakistan at a Catholic parish, AND another massacre and hostage crisis in Kenya.  I mourn for the families of those who were killed.

Then (I realize that this is ridiculous compared to the above news) I forgot that our family was in charge of this week's after-Mass snacks.  I was grateful that the folks in charge of snacks after the 8:30 left doughnuts, muffins and bagels, which I supplemented with cheese and crackers and chips and salsa.  Not our usual standard, but what mattered was that people enjoyed visiting with each other while eating the snacks.

After Mass, Charles and I went out to the valley and dropped off two boxes of books at the Friends of the Library Amazing Bookstore (and left the store with only five books).   We stopped at JoAnn Fabrics to look at some material for making bags to transport icons in so they don't get banged up in transit.  We had a burger together at The Broiler and both of us did a little venting about various things that are frustrating us right now (not about each other).  It felt good to spend some time together, even if we were both feeling snarky.

Then we came home to the news that one of Phoebe's high school classmates had died suddenly. Commiserating with her, I realized that the frustrations that Charles and I were feeling earlier are nothing compared to the pain of losing a loved one.  The families of the victims in Pakistan and Kenya, and a family here in Douglas are grieving today.

The people who died so tragically in Pakistan and Kenya this weekend today were just doing their normal Sunday routine, going to church, doing a little shopping, just having a regular day.  Phoebe's classmate didn't have any idea when he went to sleep that he wasn't going to wake up.

Hug your kids, your spouse, your brothers and sisters today.  And remember that life can change in the twinkling of an eye.