We live less than a hundred miles from the huge landslide in Oso, Washington, the tragedy that killed over twenty people. Several are still missing.

The citizens of the area have united to alleviate the tragedy. One of our grocery stores asks customers if they wish to round up to the nearest dollar for their purchases. The accumulated money will be given to Oso relief. Our hardware store also is collecting money. Customers can “buy” tools and supplies for the relief effort.

Banks and other organizations are accepting donations. Benefit concerts have been scheduled.

Such community effort and empathy are heartwarming.

I am reminded of tragic suffering in other places. I wish these tragedies could be alleviated, too.

Yet we should remember when sympathy involved us in a country called Somalia, with disastrous consequences to young soldiers. Or our engagements in Iraq which resulted in so many killed, wounded, and damaged Americans and Iraqi men, women, and children. Or Afghanistan, where young girls are targeted for wishing to attend school despite the price we paid there in lives and treasure.

We do well to be cautious of unwise involvement.

Yet the blood marked face of the little girl in Aleppo, Syria, stares out of the picture, uncomprehending as to why one would want to hurt her. She is dressed attractively. Her family must love her very much, and perhaps she will survive. Others, surely, are more damaged by the barrel bombs, full of shrapnel and nails. The bombs do not differentiate between military and civilian. Those who employ them do not intend that they should.

God knows we don’t need another military engagement. Better to press and wait for some kind of diplomatic solution. But perhaps we could spare sympathy and prayers for the people of Aleppo, Syria, as we rightly do for the people of Oso, Washington. And give donations to reputable relief organizations working with refuges who have fled in huge numbers.

Empathy for those horribly caught up in tragedy need not stop at the world’s boundaries.