Bushfires

It's been quite a horrible week here in Australia. Last weekend there was 48 degree heat and winds from hell in Victoria, and of course half the state went up in flames. The upshot is that firstly 108 and now 181 people are confirmed dead in the fires, the worst in our nation's history.
Today is valentine's day. Today I found out that one of my best friends, Mandy has lost not only her sister, but her husband and their three children in the fires. I didn't even know they were in Victoria, last I heard they were living elsewhere.
So now it's shock, being gutted and remembering that gorgeous little blonde headed moppet and the woman she became. Dead at 30. Her youngest child was the same age as Kate, 3 years old. I can't imagine what the family is going through.