Eloquent and informative as you have been, today, Wolfgang, I'd like to thank you for your posting yesterday, esp. which took my breath away as it touched my heart. It is also good to hear the perspective from your country.

Skarpi, you, too, thanks so much for telling us about the prayers and flags flighing at half-staff/mast. Please tell your countrymen and women, we appreciate it very much.

Alex, my daughter's best friend is training to be a fireman. I worked with them, as an EMT, a long time ago. Her thoughts and mine went immediately to them and the other rescue workers. Their actions are so selfless in such horrendous situations as we've seen this week. Thanks be they are willing and able and may those who were lost be blessed forever.

Spawdarlin', you have done an outstanding job. In fact, I think we all have just been incredible. It's another tremendous example of why I still wish M'Catters Ruled the World.

I have been sleepless, so rigid with tension I could not eat, my eyes ached from so much weeping, but thanks to you all and these incredible threads, I am able breath deeply, now, see clearly, now, and release the tension, if not the sorrow, and begin to look around at what I can do next to help.

Thank you, everyone. You are the creme de la creme!

love you,

kat