Too many deaths

this week.
A., in his 20s, the son of the Dufflepud's Explorer leader from CK, killed by a mud slide while at work (a victim of this mad and dreadful weather)
D., a colleague who had retired from her NSM ministry in the parish next to mine in July on the advice of her doctor but continued to be one of those who hold a community together by her prayerful presence, dead on Sunday after a huge heart attack.
And now, checking bloglines, my heart lifted as I saw that Tom had posted...only to discover that the post came from his daughter, telling readers of her father's sadly early departure. I only knew Tom through his remarkable blog. We repeatedly failed to meet, and kept saying "next year at Greenbelt", - but now I'll have to wait for heaven. I stumbled across him in the early days of this blog, and his was one of my "must reads"...His grounded wisdom, his creativity and kindness will have inspired many. He was surely a great priest, and I will never forget an email he sent me after I had lamented my lack of courage at a chapter meeting in the wake of the Windsor Report.
I'm thankful for his life and so very sad for his friends and family.

So many losses - it all feels a bit much right now.
A., D, T - rest in peace, and rise in glory.