This morning I was out at my parents place working on my friends Greenland SOF. I set the kayak up outside in the woods. I was fitting the breastplate on the bow when my pager went off. It was my girlfriends office number so I decided, time for a break, and headed in. On the phone Anna asked me if I’d seen the news and what tragedy had infolded. I didn’t know what she was talking about. She started explaining to me the events and I was aghast. I just couldn’t believe her so I turned on a TV just in time to see some horrifying replay footage.

After I got off the phone, I took a short break to get my head back together. I as finished the bow and stern breastplates the images I saw on TV kept going through my mind. That was 6 hours ago but the images are still fresh.

As I listen to the radio I keep thinking to myself, “What can I do?” I’ve never given blood before so this might be the first time. I imagine in church this Sunday they will be accepting donations to be sent to a relief fund. I’ll be opening my wallet along with millions of other people throughout the world who are shocked by the cowardice acts from earlier today.

My prayers go out to the families that morn, the emergency providers that will no doubt be working endless sleepless hours and our government officials who have many major decisions in front of them.

Thank you my friends to the North for your condolences. We may have separate governments with an artificial line drawn between us, but we share the same land.

Roger Nuffer