I posted the comment below to Mollie's entry regarding the tragedy yesterday. I thought it was appropriate to post it here.

Mollie, you've expressed the pain so many of us feel very well. I stayed home today, because I was sick, both at heart and with a chest cold. I have tried all day to get my mind around the tragedy that has hit even those of us who didn't know anyone in those planes or the buildings. Because with the huge number of people who died, most of us will know at least one person who knows someone who died. Every time I see a death toll, or a list of people who died yesterday, I cry. I cry for all the people who were coming home, or were just leaving for a little bit and were sure they would be back soon. I cry for all the people who went to work yesterday, expecting it to be a day like any other, only to have it turn into horror. And I cry for all the people left behind, some of whom still don't know the fate of their loved ones, others who know all too well what the last moments of their lives were like. I cry. And I hope, like you do, that the actions of our leaders don't bring more pain to the innocent and undeserving of our world.

Wow. I wrote much more than I had expected to. I didn't know I had so much to say. I've been alone much of the time since this tragedy, retreating into my shell to handle the pain. I would have loved to share through this medium I've discovered, but my connection here at home is crappy at best, and I haven't been able to post to my own site. Thanks for your eloquence. Thanks for your understanding, and thanks for your words. Thanks.

Update: The same thanks goes out to everyone who went to the web to express their pain, to keep everyone updated, or to offer the kind of assistance and resources that federal and local agencies were not equipped to offer.

I am in awe of the people lining up at the blood banks to donate. I am in awe of the people who have donated to the Red Cross, whether through Amazon (which is up to $1,805,987.27 as of 10:30 p.m. PST, 9/12/01) or PayPal (which is up to $275,521 as of this writing). And I am in awe of everyone who is advocating a relatively clearheaded approach to dealing with those who planned and made possible this terrorist act, rather than supporting a course of action that will only lead to more pain for everyone.