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Tuscan tragedy

The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its starboard side off the port at Giglio after running aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. The luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany, sending water pouring in through a 160-foot (50-meter) gash in the hull and forcing the evacuation of some 4,200 people from the listing vessel early Saturday, the Italian coast guard said. The number of dead and injured is not yet confirmed Coast Guard Cmdr. Francesco Paolillo said. (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)
The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its starboard side off the port at Giglio after running aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. The luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany, sending water pouring in through a 160-foot (50-meter) gash in the hull and forcing the evacuation of some 4,200 people from the listing vessel early Saturday, the Italian coast guard said. The number of dead and injured is not yet confirmed Coast Guard Cmdr. Francesco Paolillo said. (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)

The photos of that Italian cruise ship continue to haunt us. How could a trip to paradise go so wrong? The captain touting his ship to islanders?   While the captain literally jumped ship, the passengers worked to save each other: a woman offering her sweater for a shivering infant as they moved through the screaming crowd. People forming a human chain to create a system of climbing down into the frigid waters - to safety.

A story of courage and compassion amidst chaos, a story of unlikely heroes.

(S-R archives photo)

Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.