I'm not a religious kind of guy, as those of you who stop by RNS regularly know. It's disasters like Columbia that actually make me wish I had that kind of faith, sometimes.
I did think President Bush's announcement concerning the loss of Columbia and her crew was beautiful and appropriate, however:
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home.
So to that I say yes, let us pray that they are safely home.
I've had all day to think about this, and I am weary of another day to remember. We have too many all ready. Too much tradgedy too soon. So many good people lost, stolen from us. We don't really have any choices left in that regard. We are hurting, but we'll keep going, keep moving forward. To do otherwise would be to deny our nature. Space will be explored, and records set and broken. And we'll loose more people. But we owe it to our children to strive for their future.
Godspeed to the Columbia, her gallant crew, and those who shared the dream.
Posted by: puggs on February 2, 2003 12:36 AM