8:57a

keep praying for rena
been doing lots of praying than usual.
i actually haven't prayed in a long time.
I called Ann- this morning to see how Rena is doing.
They won't be able to tell much until tomorrow.

Rena, who is only 14, was hit by a car on Friday while
crossing the street in a school zone.
The driver was zooming by and did not see her.
You can only imagine my shock when Ann- told me on Friday night.
What's worse is Rena's mom saw everything since she was waiting
for Rena on the other side of the street.

Last night i called a bunch of our close friends and told them the news.
This is the second time within the last 5 months that I've had to be
the bearer of such horrible information.
Everyone was of course speechless. Who could blame them?

Life is becoming more and more real for me.
I can only imagine how many more tragedies I will experience as
my friends and i grow older.
it's kind of a dark thought, but part of reality.

I'm reflecting on how my mom's generation must feel.
Most of them are already in their 60's and have experienced
as many deaths as births in their lifetime.
It's such a strange phenomenon.

cloudy sunday
right now
we're watching news again to get caught up on
what's been happening in Iraq while we've been asleep.
It's so surreal that we are able to actually see the war
as it happens.

I can't help but think of the mini series, "Band of Brothers"
when I watch all of this.
I wonder what they are thinking.
I'm sure they still stand strong on their belief that war is wrong
and should be avoided at all costs.

But now we're knee deep in it.
and who knows how long this will last.
we honestly cannot kid ourselves and think this will be
over in a heartbeat just because we are the U.S. and Britain.
This could be another Vietnam or something close to it.

I'm worried about the back lash,
the plans for U.S. destuction.
I know Saddam is still alive.
He's probably hangin' out with Bin Laden planning
the U.S.'s demise.
hell, I wouldn't be surprised.

All I know is, all of these recent tragedies
is much greater than the dramas
at work.
At least it's given me perspective.