Praying for Sydney and Peshawar

“Today, just take time to smell the roses, enjoy those little things about your life, your family, spouse, friends, job. Forget about the thorns -the pains and problems they cause you - and enjoy life” -Bernard Kelvin Clive, Your Dreams Will Not Die

This week has been devastating.

On Monday, we had the siege in Sydney which ended with two innocent lives lost and a number of traumatized victims. It feels like an open wound and whenever I think about what happened I fight tears. I will never forget the looks of horror on those poor people's faces as they escaped the Lindt cafe. My thoughts are with the families and victims of all involved. Living in Sydney myself and (before going on maternity leave) working at Martin Place, it really hit close to home. Australia will never forget the innocent Aussies caught up on December 15th 2014.

Then in Peshawar, Pakistan, the Taliban killed 148 people...a majority of whom were children. So fricken heart breaking. I will never ever understand how anyone could do that. Never. How could you be that evil? And yet we still have these lunatics parading around planning the next attack on innocent people.

I know that tonight and for many years to come, the victims of the Sydney siege and Peshawar attack will be in many thoughts and prayers.

Both incidents are a reminder not to take your life or loved ones for granted. Every day is a gift and that's why we are all living in the present.