I won't dwell too much on the details here...we can all read reports of the horrible events that took place on April 16, 2007, from all that has been already written. I just want to post quietly here, how sorry I am to the families of the victims and the Virginia Tech community as a whole.
Sometimes, I still cry about it.
I remember last November watching a football game on T.V. at my parents' house over Thanksgiving break. Our family was excited because, "Uncle Nick" (Mike's cousin) was on the field playing for our beloved Hokies. Mike looked over at one point to see tears streaming down my face. He asked me what was wrong and I quietly told him, "Sometimes I think about it...how can I not?...I just keep thinking how this is the first Thanksgiving all of those families will be without their loved ones..." Mike hugged me, and nodded knowingly.
My younger brother John, was on campus at the time of the shootings.
Our beloved Stake President from when we lived in Virginia, that had been both Mike and my Bishop when we prepared for, and left on our missions, was in the building at the time of the shootings.
Mike's cousin, the aforementioned "Uncle Nick" as my kids call him, was on campus at the time of the shootings.
I did not know any of the victims personally, but when Adam was 4 he was in a pre-school program at Blacksburg High School. It was a special lab school that the high schoolers could take for elective credit that would teach them how to work with pre-schoolers, and help prepare them for kindergarten. I always noticed a beautiful and kind young woman, with brilliant red hair that worked very patiently, and well with the children. I was very saddened to learn that this young woman was on of the 32 slain. Her name was Austin Cloyd. It turns out, Austin was my friend Jaime's little sister Summer's, best friend. We felt very far from home as we mourned.
One of the very first shooting victims was from the town that we live in now. His name
was Ryan Clark. He was known by loved ones as, "Stack". It turns out that Stack's parents' home is less than 1 mile from ours. I would cry as I drove past Stack's house and saw the maroon and orange ribbons flying. Many store signs, theater marquees and billboards offered condolences to the victims of the tragedy and to Stack's family personally.Mike and I will always remember the date of April 16. That date will resound with us for the rest of our lives. Out of the tragedy has come the blessings of a community pulling together. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the loved ones of all of those lost one year ago, tomorrow.
Now, more than ever before...."Let's Go, H-O-K-I-E-S, HOKIES!"
Now, more than ever before...."Let's Go, H-O-K-I-E-S, HOKIES!"
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36 comments:
Thanks for the post, Lauren. I didn't realize that it was the 16th, that's so awful (it's my birthday). I hate that something so horrible happened that day. And thanks for the reminder.
My friend Teah is from VA. She has Hokie stuff all over her car and house...and her little girls have little Hokie outfits. It's awesome.
What a horrible, horrible thing!!
I'm glad you took time to remember...
I can't wait to hear about one of your boys spelling out "HO-Kies" Your family and the Ho obsession.
You are so thoughtful to remember the lives of others!
I was all prepared for some rah-rah hometown team post and then you turn the tables!
Nice remembering...
Wow, that whole incident seemed so far from us here. I forget how close it was to others. Even more scary that you had family and friends there on campus. It's awful when such tragedies effect so many lives. But, it's nice to look at the few good things that come of them.
Thanks for posting about this-we should never forget. GO HOKIES!!!
Thanks for the reminder. I think we all tend to forget. For whatever reasons....sometimes because it's too hard to remember that such awful things can happen in our world. :0(
It's so easy to get caught up the mundane everyday stuff, but then when you stop and realize that your ordinary day is the worst day possible for someone else, it really makes you grateful. Thanks.
Thank you so much for posting this and helping us remember the victims of this tragedy. I cannot imagine how deeply you must feel having this happen so close to home. I will pray for all people affected by this today at the 1-year anniversary.
On a side note, my husband lived in Virginia when he was really small. It is where he learned to talk. As soon as he hears any kind of southern accent, his charming southern drawl comes out :)
That was a very nice post, La. Thanks for that. It is a tough day.
One year ago today, Geoff was on three different news stations and interviewed by two newspapers. It was not a good, happy thing. So sad.
Thanks for the nice words.
That was a beautifully written post. Thank you for the reminder to look beyond ourselves and remember others.
I hope you don't have too rough a day. Hang in there.
I know, I had to post about it too. I was out running an errand this morning and the mood across town is somber. As much as I need to go to campus, I need to stay away. But we are all sporting our Hokie Gear for Austin, and everyone else!
that was a very touching post! that must have been and still is a difficult thing to be so close to personally! it is such a tragedy!
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing such personal feelings.
This was a nice tribute to such a terrible tragedy.
Thank you so much for your post. i just followed your blog from jaime's. i miss austin so much today and for the past little while knowing that the one year mark was just around the corner it has been even harder. it's nice to see and hear of people who aren't even back in the Bburg still remember! thank you so much.
Wow. THanks for that. I can't imagine that kind of pain. That stuff really does affect the whole community. I would totally be crying too driving by one of those houses of the victims. So sad.
Go Hokies. I am impressed by how the entire VT community immediately came together for each other. No one wishes such a tragedy on anyone but should it happen, you would hope that the love and support demonstrated by the VT community is available for the victims and their families.
What is a Hokie anyway?
What part of Virginia is that? My husbands family is from VA, we go there every couple of years for family reunions.
Tragedy really brings people together doesn't it? It never ceases to amaze me that total strangers can feel such compassion for people they have never met. Beautiful, thoughtful post.
Great post. Great tribute.
That was a horrible tragedy. I remember it well.
Remember the 'Trolley Square' gunman in UT? I was really drawn to that story too and still think about it.
There's always some freak out there with a gun. And it's scary.
Thanks for the reminder. It does seem like a world away from over here, but I can imagine when it hits so close to home for you it's something that is never far from your thoughts...especially on the anniversary. My heart goes out to you and all those affected by that horrible tragedy.
To answer your question.. (I never know where to post it!!)
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I didn't know you were connected like that. It was for sure a very shocking and sad thing. Thank goodness for our gospel knowlege though right? ;)
Ugh. What a great reminder of tragic, tragic day. In Colorado, it is all about Columbine. I wasn't here for the original shootings but always make sure to reflect upon the anniversary every year.
I've been thinking about this post ever since I read it two days ago. The Virginia Tech shootings seemed so far away, but now I feel related. Thank you for this thoughtful and meaningful post. I'm sorry you and your hokies had to struggle.
in answer to your question on my blog, yes, i am in bridget's ward! we always carpool to preschool so i get to see her a lot! lucky me!
I'll come out of lurker-ness to tell you that I was thinking of you and had been thinking of you and your Hokies for the past few days. What a devestation for the community - and yet, such a great inspiration as a community united.
Great post.
Lauren,
De-lurking here.
I think you are the "best blog commenter"...ever.
I see your comments on several blogs I frequent.
I find myself laughing harder at your comments than at the post itself.
You are a funny girl.
With that said, let me comment on your post. Tragic day in Blacksburg. I remember it well. My youngest brother had just accepted a teaching postion at Virginia Tech. I gave thanks that night that he was not working there yet. His office would later be located in that building. He is still a professor there and loves it. I hope time will heal the wounds of that day. How sweet of you to remember.
We miss you Lauren! Both Kevin and I were on campus last year that Monday. Hard to believe a whole year has passed...
Thank you for taking the time to reflect. Sometimes I dont have the words so I say nothing. Thanks.
What a beautiful post. I'm sorry the tragedy was so close to home and how touching your empathy for the families.
My boys go to those preschools too and we love them.
wow, I'm at work lauren... thanks for making me tear up.
I love the post, thank you.
That was a nice post. I can't believe it's been a year. It really doesn't seem that long ago. I guess it's becuase it was such a huge tragedy, it doesn't leave your thoughts quickly.
Thanks for reminding us!
Lauren, email me at skaggbailey@hotmail.com and we'll have a link tutorial! :)
I just wanted to say that I LOVE that you comments everyday on people's blogs even though you don't post everyday. I always feel pressure to post when I comment, thanks to you that pressure is fading.
of course you can use my i'm a great mom" post! i'd be flattered! good luck!
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