Mary Rooke Commentary and Analysis Writer
This post is adapted from Mary Rooke’s weekly Good Life newsletter, which tackles navigating our modern culture and staying sane in the process. If you have not already subscribed, please consider doing so here.
Over 100 people died in the tragic flash flood that devastated the Texas Hill Country, including at least 30 children. The families who lost their children, husbands and fathers, wives and mothers, and grandparents will never be the same.
Our family was among those struck with sadness Saturday morning when we received a text that an extended family member was missing from Camp Mystic. We went into prayer overdrive that she would be found alive. But as the hours turned into days, a sinking pit formed deep in my soul. I think it was the fear that the longer it took for reconciliation to happen, the more I knew what the outcome would be.
She was found but has gone to be with our Lord.
It’s hard to describe the helplessness one feels when you think about the fear and trepidation those little girls at Camp Mystic were experiencing as the water rose through their bunks. How brave and strong they had to be in a moment that no one can prepare you for.
.@USCG aircrews recently responded to severe flash flooding near Kerrville, Texas, completing 12 flights to the affected area. As of July 5, they had rescued 15 campers from Camp Mystic and provided medical assistance and support during the evacuation of 230 flood victims. pic.twitter.com/nD8v2Rdrye
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) July 9, 2025
Tragedies are always harder when they affect children. It’s their vulnerability. As a parent, you know just how much children rely on the adults in their lives for everything they do, especially their safety. Witnessing this has deeply hurt my heart.
It shouldn’t take tragedies like this to reorient your life. However, I look at my children differently right now. All of my girls fall into the same age group as these campers. They could be one of the missing, but they aren’t. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do something that these families will never be able to do again: hold them, love them, and care for them. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)
But at the same time, I feel overwhelming sadness for the parents who lost their children. It’s easy to talk about the sadness in an abstract way when your family is whole. However, it’s completely different to feel the pain of having your heart ripped apart in grief.
One of the stories emerging from the flash flooding was about a father who took a canoe into the raging river to reach his two daughters, who were staying in a cabin with their grandparents. The water was rising and already had debris and cars pushing around him. He decided to get out of the river to make it to them on foot. By the time he got to the cabin, it had broken free from its foundation and was washed away. His two daughters had texted him and their mother to say “I love you,” as their last act on earth.
Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, who were students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, tragically lost their lives in the devastating floods that struck Texas, the school confirmed on Saturday, according to Fox 4 News. pic.twitter.com/wphHnF8Uyb
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) July 6, 2025
When people discuss the meaning of family, a crucial point is often overlooked in the conversation. Strong, loving families are the greatest source of good in this world. It is the foundation of everything. When a piece of it is broken off, the chain feels weaker than it was before. These girls, in their terror and fear, wanted to let their parents know that they loved them. Despite rising waters, roaring winds, and a creaking foundation, they stopped to give their parents a gift that would hopefully sustain them throughout their grief.
Not being parents themselves, they have no idea the blessing they gave their mother and father by doing that. But it was clearly instinctual to reach out to their family in their time of need.
The girls were found 15 miles away from their cabin with their hands clasped together.
Something that also hasn’t left my mind is the way families and communities have united to help in the rescue and recovery efforts. It’s a beautiful reminder of all that’s good about our nation. While there are always those who will turn a tragedy into political fodder, the majority are ignoring this bias for the sake of caring for the brokenhearted.
LATEST: Updated Information for Helping the Texas Hill Country. Do your thing fellow Texans and Americans. God bless you all. pic.twitter.com/vIn2DPLTjU
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 8, 2025
Native Texas grocery store chain HEB immediately stepped into action to bring disaster relief to these hard-hit communities. Thousands of volunteers descended on the Guadalupe River to help find the bodies of the missing. When you hear them tell their stories, it gives the rest of us a glimpse into the emotional toll it’s taking on them.
I just saw a group of first responders praying around a giant cross in Kerr County, Texas.
This is not far from where a 9-month-old who didn’t make it was found in the debris a little while ago.
These men and woman searching are beyond strong. pic.twitter.com/C3eC3LZdm8— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 9, 2025
There is a Bible verse that I have seen shared multiple times by the victims’ families.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:2
In their time of unfathomable sorrow, there is the belief that God was with their little girls. I don’t know how these parents will have the strength to overcome their grief. Nothing is going to bring their children back home. They will never see them graduate from high school or college, get married, or bring their own children into this world. All the plans they had for them are gone. Still, love can inspire you to do things for others that you didn’t think you could.
I truly believe that suffering is meant for all of us, but God always gives us redemption when we lean on Him through our pain. So I will continue to pray for them because it’s the only way I know how to help them heal. And I am going to love my children with a renewed sense of purpose. This tragedy is a terrible reminder that the most important part of my life is my family.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Please send any questions or comments about the newsletter to [email protected]. While I can’t always respond, I do try to read them all! The community we are building is one of my favorite parts of this experience. If you enjoyed this content, please join our community to receive the Good Life directly to your inbox every Thursday.
Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke