So...it has been a few days since the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I feel better about going about my daily life, but I still have strange feelings of despair, sorrow, and fear. I know that life will quickly return to normal, exams will be here soon, CCY in Chicago (although that will be difficult, meeting students from VT and missing those from the VT Student YMCA who were supposed to be with us), doing my summer internship work, then it will be time for a new semester. But, I know that I will not forget what happened this past Monday; the images, the feelings, the event will never leave my mind. I know that for the next three years while I'm here at GWU anytime I hear sirens, see UP acting as if they are in a hurry, or hear a loud noise or scream I will be startled and frightened.

Today at noon the university had a prayer service in Dover Chapel. I went and it was nice. They had an American flag on the left side of the stage and a GWU flag and VT flag on the right side. Tracy Jessup opened the service and Dr. Bonner offered a few remarks followed by a time of prayer and a song. It was good to be with others as we prayed for Virginia Tech and what took place there. As I was walking across The Quad this afternoon seeing the VT flag hanging on our flag pole with the GWU flag brought a sense of comfort and warmth to me. At first I wanted to cry, but now when I see it (for however long it remains on our Quad) I will feel a sense of safety and security inside.

This week has been so tough, probably one of the hardest weeks in my life thus far. I know that there will be more difficult times in the future, but I know that God is faithful; I find it important to remember that God never leaves us nor forsakes us, He is always there. Also, today during the prayer service, I prayed that God would take my burdens. It is so amazing how we are taught that God can take our burdens and we can take his yoke for it is easy to bare, yet we continue to carry so much on our heart and weigh ourselves down...

Labels: God, Virginia Tech, VT