An unexpected Birthday post

Not what I hoped to post on my birthday- but the events of today in Mumbai, a city I spent about a week in earlier this year, has left me just totally and completely.....with no words.

Of the time I spent in Mumbai, I visited and even spent a significant amount of time at 3 of the main sites attacked today: The Taj hotel, the CTS train terminal, and worst of all Leopold's Cafe. 

The CTS station was one of the most impressive and beautiful places I saw in my time in India (and one of my fave pics):

 

The Taj hotel, which is still on fire as I watch CNN right now, was equally as impressive, although quite out of my price range

Leopold's Cafe is an institution in Mumbai -read Shantaram, you will realize how much history is wrapped up in this place.  I stayed about 2 blocks from Leopold's, and ironically, it was a place I felt VERY safe in my first days in such a foreign place.  

I am just so very sad.  How much of this terror and randomness can people take before they begin to shut down and become unwilling to travel the world and see amazing places and experience new, amazing cultures?  It is a question I fear I soon will need to answer myself.

I am praying for the hostages and their families, and realize just how very much I have for to thankful for.