Sending Thoughts of Healing and Goodwill to Mumbai and Elsewhere

Photo by Virginia Bergman

Taking a break this afternoon from Thanksgiving preparations – the bread stuffing is ready, the rutabaga is chopped, and the turkey is thawed – I scanned the online news. The glow I’ve experienced all day in anticipation of having dinner with loved ones tomorrow quickly faded into despair.

The NY Times headline reads Dozens Reported Dead in India Attacks:

“NEW DELHI — Coordinated terror attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city’s largest commuter train station, a historic movie theater and a hospital. There were unconfirmed reports of hostages having been taken at one of the hotels.

“Mumbai police control room said at least 75 people had died and 240 injured, according to preliminary reports.”

And I’m reminded once again: there’s way too much hatred in the world.

So I pause in preparation for tomorrow’s feast, an annual occasion for giving thanks, to meditate on behalf of suffering people in Mumbai and elsewhere, hoping thoughts of healing and goodwill will reach their destination and somehow touch the hearts of both oppressors and their victims.