Wednesday, April 16, 2008

We're all HOKIES today!

*edited- visit www.vt.edu/remember/ We can never forget.
*edited again- I forgot to mention that my WONDERFUL bro-in-law was the creative one behind this remembrance website. Props to you S.W. , you rock and are so talented. Love ya! And props to my sister for tolerating her hubby being MIA while he was literally locked away working on this website.

One year ago today our small world was rocked. For those of you that don't know, we live in the town right next to Blacksburg. My Mom is from B'burg as a matter of fact and grew up just down the road from VT. I remember exactly what I was doing on 4-16-07 the morning of the shootings. I had been cleaning house and just turned the t.v. on when there was a newsbreak that there had been a shooting on campus. My Mom and sister both work at VT so I was a little nervous but honestly didn't think it was anything to worry about. My Mom was off from work that day so I called my sister, who by the way works in the President's office which is right next door to Norris Hall, and jokingly said are your doors locked? She in turn whispers, "Tinie I'm under my desk and there's cops everywhere." Oh dear Lord I thought this can not be happening to her. As we're talking she's nervous because she can see men's shoes under her door passing by and hears lots of yelling. God please keep my sister safe. Let it be me not her. We couldn't talk long because they were in lock down and were told to stay off the phone. My mom and I went back and forth on the phone the rest of the day. In the meantime my dear friend Julie and I talked several times because her husband is a state trooper and is on a tact team and was on his way there. I know I was no comfort what soever to her because I was so wrapped up in my own family. My Mom's cousin taught in Noris Hall and we had no idea of his whereabouts. You have to realize that our community is so small and sooo many people that we know are a part of VT, whether they are employees there, or alumni, this is what we are surrounded by. I could go on and on and tell you about my other cousins that work there or about all of my dear sisters from church who seen kids jumping from windows but what I want to do is remember those that were lost that day. One year ago today, parents were told their children had been killed, spouses were told that they're loved ones were gone forever and first responders went in sacrificing they're own lives to help someone else while they're families waited for word that they were ok. We must never forget the lives that were lost on this day and we must go on with our sense of community and especially with our faith. God says He will never leave us nor forsake us.


* Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22


4 comments:

GillespiesGirl said...

My thoughts and prayers are with all of VT. "WE ARE HOKIES"!!!

Anonymous said...

I remember that day so vividly. I remember our MANY phone calls. I can't believe it has already been a year. We are HOKIES. We will prevail!!
Love Ya

Anonymous said...

Sitting here reading this brings it all back. It gives me chills to remember hearing the shots and thinking that couldn't be a gun shot, it has to be construction. Then hearing the cops yelling and seeing them with their guns drawn. I knew something was seriously wrong when the cops were driving around the drillfield in the wrong direction. Now sitting at my desk and hearing sirens I get this sick/sad feeling and remember that day.

Thanks for your prayers!!! Thanks for being a great sister! I love you! ~D

Anonymous said...

You didin't mention that your brother-in-law was MIA for a while designing the rembrance website. He is so proud of that website!

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