Like many others I was drawn by the story of the disappearance and the search for the Kims family in the last few days. I was following update of the rescue effort almost in real-time via the news website. It was a big euphoria at first when the mother and the girls were found safe. But at the same time it was all the more urgent to find the missing dad who has left to seek help but has failed to return. When bad news finally came back that he was found dead, I was deeply saddened.

I was thinking why do I worry so deeply about a family I have not met? Why do I concern about them on a personal level? Because they are good, family people? Because I am also a new dad myself? Or is it because they were stuck in the wild waiting for us to save them?

The recent passing of my friend in another tragic circumstance still leave a heavy heart in me. Usually I am the optimist. In tragic situations I can see beyond the present sorrow and set my sight to the future ahead. From suffering I can often find compassion and catharsis. But these are tragedies that overwhelmed me. The losses are irredeemable.

2006.12.07 [personal] - comments