So, I am sure there are hundreds of other people that decided to post a blog entry about the collapse of the I-35W bridge. It is a tragedy of unbelievable proportions. As I sat watching the news last night and keeping up with the constant updates on various websites, I couldn't help but be transported back to 9/11 and watching the events unfold on the TV. While this tragedy wasn't as big and didn't affect as many people, news of it still traveled across the country at magnificent speed, and it still shocked thousands. The 50 cars that now sit in the Mississippi serve as reminders of those who managed to survive the collapse, and also serve as reminders of those that are still missing.
It is an amazing thing to hear the stories of those that wasted no time in rushing to the aid of those around them. The internet and news are flooded with stories of modern day heroes that pulled victims up on the banks, sat with those waiting for help, and risking their lives to get others out of harm's way. It is also amazing to hear the stories of those who had close calls - who had driven over the bridge moments before its collapse, or those who just happened to choose alternate routes or who had car troubles that may have seemed troublesome at the time, but meant that they were kept just far back enough that they missed that fateful moment. I think it is also a miracle in and of itself that the bridge was under construction at all - the tragedy could have claimed twice as many victims if the entire bridge had been open.
However, many did not. Many were affected, injured, and even killed as the bridge fell 64 feet to the river. Some families are still waiting to find loved ones - and with no way of knowing how many cars were on the bridge or who was in them, it is a wild goose chase as hours pass and the search slowly changes from one for survivors to one for the bodies of the victims still trapped under the wreckage.
So, as the president prepares to come to Minneapolis, as the mayors and senators speak words in an attempt to console those affected and to move forward despite the recent events, and as the community, state, and country try to wrap their minds around what has happened, I can't help but feel that this is another reminder of those tragic hours we spent watching the twin towers collapse. It may not have been an act of terrorism, but it doesn't take someone trying to hurt others for awful things to happen. We pull together and look for ways to support our neighbors. We pray, and we hope that we can come to accept and understand that we live in a world where evil exists, yet still believe that hope and renewal are present for us as well.
So our hearts do go out to those affected by this tragedy - may our prayers and kind thoughts encircle those who are in pain, and support those who risked their lives to help. God bless them.
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