Through all the tumult.

Jessika Hwang died. I didn't know her, I'd seen pictures, I'd seen her around, I'd met her minutes before hand. Her existence just ended.. right after I met her. And she'll forever be in my memory as the girl I was lucky enough to know for less than an hour.
Samih's grandfather died. I'd never met him, but hearing of his death right after Jessika's added to the weight of everything that weekend.
Evelyn died, she was a lovable, big, black lady who looked after me and my best friend when we were in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. She was the definition of Baptist Church goer. She had a heart attack, she was 58.
Gracie Udouj. is in critical condition with swine flu. I babysat her when she was five. She's nine now.. she's on a ventilator. All I want to do is wrap her in my arms and hold her until her disease melts away.
Clare, my cousin, who i've looked up to my entire life, who was the smartest girl in her class, went to rehab this weekend. My uncle is heart broken. His little girl addicted to pills, pot, and meth.

"Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing, it sounds and echoes in my soul, how can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I'm clinging, Since love is lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep singing?"