we will carry each other

Thirteen years ago, 32 precious Hokies lost their lives.

The world felt as though it had literally stopped spinning.

How could the rest of the world still go on, while we lost our classmates, our friends, and our teachers? How could anyone keep on with their day-to-day life when our sense of normalcy was completely shattered?

It seemed unfathomable.

Our community faced uncertainty, fear, and grief. We didn’t know what would come next, but one step at a time, we pushed forward with a little more solemnity and compassion in our hearts. We carried each other, and gave what we could to help those around us, which most often meant our time, friendship, or even just a smile.

Friends invited me to their homes so I wouldn’t have to stay alone on campus. A church community across the country tied fleece blankets and mailed them to our small church group. I still have and use that blanket each day. A small act of service that may have long been forgotten by the giver often remains a comforting memory for the receiver.

I can also testify that even through the most difficult times, God never abandoned us. We were provided opportunities to feel of His love, peace, and comfort.

Now, here we are, facing the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. In many ways, the world has “stopped spinning”. Day-to-day life is not what it used to be, and people are unsure of what will come next.

We may be feeling grief, fear, and pain, but we will make it through this, because we will carry each other. The entire population banding together for one incredible cause has an outstanding power.

After we overcome this, we’ll know how much we can all accomplish in unity.

Today, we remember the friends we lost on that blustery day in 2007. We go forward with the strength we gained from the weeks and months that followed, and a hope for brighter days ahead.

Never Forget. Live and Love for 32.
WE ARE VIRGINIA TECH.

12 years

It’s been 12 years since we lost our fellow Hokies and our community was forever changed. Twelve years sounds like a long time, but the memories are still so vivid, easily bringing back the rawest of emotions.

While it’s easy to focus on the tragedy, many of the memories that stand out from that time are of the ways people served, loved, and supported one another. We banded together as friends and strangers to cope with the events of that day and coming weeks.

In 2007, standing on the Drillfield at the candelight vigil, we listened to the 32 names of those who were lost read aloud. At the end of the night, the most vehement, yet somber, rally of “Let’s Go… HOKIES!” I have ever heard began. That sense of unity and strength was unprecedented.

Today, I ran, cried, and ran some more. I noticed the blossoms on the trees and the morning sun breaking through them, seemingly made more beautiful in contrast to the burning in my heart. I usually try to stay off of social media on this day, but I think it’s important that we remember what happened so we can work toward a better future. Love one another, never forget, and live for 32.

WE ARE VIRGINIA TECH.

fried chicken, bike rides, and a dog who thinks he’s a baby

Lately…

We’ve enjoyed date nights as a family of three. We used some of Michael’s birthday money to go out to eat one night (hello chocolate oreo milkshake)! Kaya enjoyed her usual favorite thing- graham crackers (but we do let her have a few bites of our dessert).
PhotoGrid_1378001974957 Michael acquired a bike trailer from one of his co-workers last week, so we just had to try it out! We biked to our institute class, and then to a Hokie soccer game! Kaya really seemed to enjoy it (if only because she could laugh at how goofy her mama looks on a bike…)IMG_20130906_202509 We’ve had play dates and a church chili cook-off (I brought the cornbread).090913photogrid1A certain someone has been a little feverish and taking extra long naps (I’m blaming the new molar…)IMG_20130909_154737 And someone else only wishes he could be a human baby and steals Kaya’s things any chance he gets.IMG_20130909_154323

we are virginia tech

Sometimes, my memory likes to replay events in my mind. Over. And over. And over again.

April 16th, 2007 is one of those days. That day, my Alma Mater, Virginia Tech, lost part of of our Hokie family.

Remembering the events of that week still makes my heart hurt sometimes.

I remember the police cars zooming past me on the street before anyone knew what had happened, their sirens blaring. The entire campus was locked down. I was stuck in the gym for hours. We all watched the news. Disbelief. Fear. Numbness.

One of the victims was in my classes. Her smile is forever etched into my memory.

I spent a lot of time at our church institute building. A couple of friends let me come sleep at their places so that I wouldn’t have to spend time alone. We even had a special church meeting where Elder Bednar came to speak to us. I will be forever grateful for my loving friends and the strength the gospel brings.

For a while, our own little world stopped, but it seemed like everyone else everywhere else just kept going, and I couldn’t understand how.

Before long, classes resumed. The news vans and reporters disappeared. Life crawled back to some semblance of its former rhythm.

Our community grew stronger. Being a Hokie has always been something to be proud of, but now it is also something to cherish.

As the world continues to suffer irrational acts of violence, I know that I can find personal peace through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Cook said it best in this past General Conference: “We earnestly hope and pray for universal peace, but it is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice.”

We might not be able to suddenly morph the world we live in into a universal safe-haven, but we can make a difference in our own homes, and for that, I am grateful.

Remembering

We’re at the end of a very meaningful day. Three years ago today, 32 Hokies lost their lives because of one student who lost his mind.

I’m sure many of us have shed some tears today. I wanted to write something, but in all honesty, I’m not all too sure of what to write.

The heart is an amazing thing that we’ve been given. It can love. It can forgive. It can heal. But it can also relive some of the pain we’ve felt throughout our lives. Sometimes I can still feel the fear and hurt caused by the tragedy. But I know that those who we lost three years ago really aren’t lost. They go on living, just not on earth. They’re just a little ahead of all the rest of us. And that gives me hope.

One of the victims was in a couple of my classes. I can only recall having one conversation with her. But I will always remember what a beautiful smile she had. I just wish I was able to know her better, as well as all the others who are gone. It’s easy to feel like I missed out. We could’ve been friends.

If this seems a little sorrowful, don’t be disillusioned. I know that we will meet all our loved ones again someday. We will also meet our Father, and Jesus Christ, and it is faith in these facts that bring me joy. This life is not the end. We still have much, much farther to go. Do not despair, but have hope. Death is not but the doorway into eternity.