Feeling their pain

Walking the dogs this morning at 6am, I was thinking what a lovely time of day this is for thinking and counting our blessings. A beautiful bright, calm and cool morning, no-one around, no noise, I have my health, my home, food in the cupboard, friends and family I know I can call on for help or just to chat; and, of course, the dogs!
Then, I came across these poppies - symbols of loss and remembrance - and I thought of those people who have lost so much by acts of nature this week; high temperatures and fires in North America, then the devastating rainfall and flash floods in Europe, particularly Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. The agony of losing everything within a few hours - homes, family, friends, whole communities. Something we can hardly imagine unless we have experienced it. My thoughts are with those affected.