Masacre at Virginia Tech University

Today I write this entry in much the same manner as I wrote my journal entry eight years ago this coming Friday when a shooting occured at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. My heart is saddened, fearful and aching for the victims and their loved ones. Unfortunately, what happened today in Blacksburg, VA is much, much worse than Columbine. Columbine had 13 victims, today, 33 were gunned down at VA Tech University. The gunman, of course, being a complete coward, shot himself in the end and has yet to be identitified. It started around 7:15am EST and I first read about it early this morning around 8am PST, at which time, there were only two dead--that would've been enough. But, the shooting(s) continued and more were claimed dead as the day went on. Today was the largest and deadliest non-government related shooting in U.S History--beating out shootings in Texas, and of course, Colorado. Last week, Colin and I were discussing Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment, I'll just say that we have quite different opinions on the subject. I'm a litle more conservative than I thought; however, today's shooting has made me reconsider my position. 8 years ago, when Columbine happened, I was a Freshmen in High School; today, I'm of college age. It's odd that these two events happened to people my age at the time they happened, it makes it a little more difficult to take in. It makes brings it home in a way that I don't think people of a different age can understand. I remember being so afraid to return to school 8 years ago when Columbine happened, I was home sick with the stomach flu--food poising, actually. I remember exactly where I was when I heard, and I was scared and depressed about it for weeks. Today, I remember exactly where I was when I heard that 30+ people had died at VA Tech. I always will. This is another sad and tragic day in U.S. History, but I must say, I will not allow this to depress me like I did Columbine. I am older, wiser and have a lot more faith in God. It is that faith that is allowing me to pray for and bless these people in VA, and then step back and go on with my life. Yes, it is sad, yes it is an act of senseless violence; however, for me, it is yet another reminder to live every day, and every moment, to the fullest. To tell our loved ones we love them, to see them and speak to them, whenever possible; because we just never know when our time (with them) is up. I believe everyone has their time, that's not to sound insensitive, because I do not mean it that way at all. However, it is the only way I can make sense of a tragedy like this. Tonight, I have nothing else to say except that I hope the victims rest in peace and that peace and dignity are bestowed upon all of thier families and friends as well. May the 32 that are dead this evening rest in peace, and know that their deaths provided a much needed wake up call for this country. God Bless those students, God Bless all those who had to witness (and survived) such a horrific event, and God Bless America.

In Light N' Love & Sympathy,
-Sarah Liz

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_re_us/virginia_tech_shooting