Horrific Day At Virginia Tech
The senseless, horrific massacre that occurred on the Virginia Tech campus this morning was shocking and tragic to say the least. My prayers and sympathy go out to the families, friends and acquaintances of the Virginia Tech students and faculty that perished today.
I can never know their pain and loss, especially given the horrific magnitude and circumstances of this situation. I do know what it is to lose a friend in shocking, vaguely similar circumstances. When reading about the first shooting online at the office this morning, I immediately thought of what happen to my friend Jay Severson about 10 years ago.
During my senior year as student at Purdue University, Jay was an RA for a dorm floor and was murdered at the entrance to his room by a student that he had caught with drugs. The student took his own life after a standoff with police however that situation never escalated to anything like today.
I remember every detail of that day and the many days followed like they were yesterday. I remember the shock, pain, disbelief, sadness and the questions. Questions that were eventually answered as to what happened, but others that will never be answered in this life. I’m not a counselor, but I can say from experience to the students, especially those that may have lost someone today to make sure to talk to each other, your parents, to counselors, to ministers and most importantly to God.
I have never once felt anger at the student who took Jay’s life, even though his actions caused such great heartache and loss in Jay’s family and large net of friends, in addition to his own family and friends. All I could do was forgive him and pray for his family. I’ve been asked how in the world I did no feel angry at that student? I can only explain it as God’s grace. As time has gone by I have chosen, through God’s help, to focus on the good times with my friend Jay rather than the circumstances of his death (which I will never forget).
My prayer for the families and friends of the Virginia Tech victims is they will be able to focus on the good times with those they have lost and that God comfort them in this time of grief.
Update: Photos tell the story.
February 14th, 2008 23:34
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