The tragedy in Surfside, Florida, continues to unfold with untenable heartache every hour. Through the magic of incredible television coverage, we are becoming intimately aware of the reality that accompanies such horrific situations and observe family and loved ones travel through the many stages of their grief. Initially, there was so much hopefulness, since after all, how can a building simply collapse and not allow its occupants a means of escape? Compared frequently to terrorism, this was so different because it was not a bomb or plane crashing into a building, damaging its integrity. Therefore, our reasonable minds yell that everyone must have been able to evacuate in time to survive.

But time marches on, and all these days later (I am writing this on Day 6,) the numbers (150 at this moment) of parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles and friends missing continue to be astounding! How will those who live in similar buildings ever feel safe again? How will a small community pick up the pieces when this is over, and return to “normal?” And when the television crews respond to the next story that captures our attention, how will those left to mourn, go on?

The human-interest stories are riveting, as we learn of the devotion of the missing to those in their worlds. One such example, Grandma Judy, as she is called, found the exact Disney dress for her granddaughter, Scarlett, and told her daughter, Rachel, at 9:00 p.m. before going to sleep for the last time before the collapse, that the dress was on its way.  As Rachel told CNN journalists, this was not unique, it was what she did for those she loved. In fact, when Scarlett heard her grandmother was “lost” she wanted to go to her apartment because she could help find her. She explained they played hide and seek, and she knew the hiding places where her grandma could be found.

There are, no doubt, 149 more families that could share the same sentiment and stories about their lost members. If we take the time to listen, we find the good in humanity. Sadly, it seems to take tragedy to find out how giving, loving and caring others are in this fast-paced world.

If we are to take away anything from this tragedy that can give us clarity and direction in our own lives, it must be to appreciate those we love, not from afar, not from only knowing in our hearts but from sharing that love and adoration. Tell those you love, those who fill your soul, those who give you strength and comfort. Tell them they are important, they are part of you, and you, in turn, are part of them. You do not need me to tell you that life is short! But it can be infinitely sweeter when we recognize the opportunities we have to make it better. 

 

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