As many of you probably already know, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit China, killing close to 9,000 people.

How much is 9,000?

Well, we all remember the death and destruction of 9/11, and that was just under 3,000 people. We also remember Hurricane Katrina, which was 2,000 people.

I’m in no way trying to compare a natural disaster to 9/11. I’m just looking at this from a mathematical angle. China is now faced with losing 3 times more people than 9/11, and 4 times more than Katrina.

I don’t know about you, but I have a tenancy to be a bit blind to what goes on in other countries. I guess it’s out of sight, out of mind, because when something happens that’s far away, I somehow don’t grasp it as clearly.

So I just thought I should acknowledge, at least to myself, how tragic this is, and how many families and friends have been lost.

Very sad.

…added to my prayers for the victims of the recent Myanmar cyclone and US tornados…