the end of the world

While I was opening Christmas presents, tragedy struck on the other side of the world. When I first heard the news of the tsunami in Asia, I didn't believe it. My sister's boyfriend told her on the phone. I thought he was exaggerating the details. I told my sister that such an event must be a sign of the end of the world.
But then I saw the newspaper on Monday morning and it was horrible.
And now I'm back online and I've had time to read all the news and see all the pictures. Which has really sunk me into a state of depression and grief. I've been to many of the places in Thailand that have been damaged or destroyed. It seems so unreal.
For so many, it may truly seem like the end. So much loss.