I know, I know, I've said that before, but this time we really mean it; tomorrow (Tuesday) we leave Moab.

Church yesterday was bittersweet.  I noticed that many of the Hispanic congregation was in attendance, which is one of the great things about St. Francis.  However, Fr. Dave then told us about a terrible tragedy that happened on Saturday.

Dave and I had wondered about the traffic tie-up on the big highway between here and the town.  Obviously a truck, dragging a small trailer, was off the road.  Two and a half hours later, the road was still blocked by police and photographers.

One of the young acolytes at St. Francis had been struck by that truck and killed on the highway.  What a sad thing!  Several kids had spent the night together (most of the St. Francis kids), and were running across the highway to someone else's house.  The first kid made it; Giovanni didn't.  The others had to see this terrible accident.

Fr. Dave is also Moab's mayor; he prayed not only for the family and for the church family , but also for the community.  It is a small one and just about everyone knows everyone.  I also am praying for the poor truck driver.  He must be in great emotional pain.

St. Francis will rally around the stricken family; I hope the truck driver also has a church family to surround him and comfort him.

As for the other kids; I hope they learned a lesson that day.  It's a hard one, and nobody would wish it on anyone.  But if it makes them careful, then something good will come out of this terrible accident.

When I returned from town and the laundromat, someone had put balloons tied to a teddy bear and a small cross on the spot where the child was killed.  I expect there will be more memorials there today.

God bless the children; and hug yours today.