Tragedy at Tech

The events of April 16 at Virginia Tech have shaken me to my bones and soul. It was just a few years ago that my beautiful daughter was left with her important belongings in her dorm room at West A J.
Her joy at beginning this new chapter in her life as a college freshman overshadowed my sadness (it's a mother thing with their babies) as she left the nest and security of home. Her roommate situation wasn't the best that first year. She learned to cope and made fast and solid life-long friends. That was only 1 way her education was more than academic. On a Parents Weekend, while waiting to meet her in the lobby at West A J, I glanced down the hall to see her boyfriend emerge from her dorm room. So my education continued.
Her graduation was a glorious finale to all of the experiences and education that make up college. Virginia Tech had done its job of preparing her for the big real world.
There were times of great celebration and times of angst and concern. But never was there concern for her physical safety from other students. We both grew during those Tech years to be forever changed by another life passage.
Today everyone at Virginia Tech is experiencing something never experienced before...an event that is unfathomable. The cruel crazy real world showed up, touching and forever changing Virginia Tech and people around the world. School officials continue to lead in spite of their grief and shock. Too many lives have been turned upside down and shattered. Information is fragmented at best. Attempts to make reason out of the shootings are futile at best. To blame, to find fault is natural and fills the air waves. As a client said "Today we're all Hokies whether we went to school there or not. "
My prayers are for comfort for the hurting, healing for those harmed and injured, safety for all and an understanding that transcends the insanity of April 16. May the healing begin.