Question:
I thought I would relay some of my experiences...I remember what it was like with columbine...how I saw it from the outside....and so I know how you all see this....try to keep in mind that this was alot closer to home for me...so some of the stuff I say may come off a little strongly....I didnt come here to get flamed...I just wanted to share what I went through...so maybe ya'll might have something of an idea.
I was on foal watch last night...I was at the barns all night and got back to the dorms at seven...at which point I promtly went to sleep. I woke up around ten to sirens and louspeakers, and have been up since. I feel numb....and upset, scared, sad, angry, and frustrated. Its hard to believe that something like this has happened in quiet, peaceful, blacksburg...not more than a five minute walk from where I have lived the past four years. How could it happen? How did it happen? And what if it had happened to me? Or to my boyfriend...or a member of my family or a friend?
I just returned from a vigil. One of my sophmores is missing...one of my kids. I trained him last year along with the other cadre...We dont know where he is...nor do his parents. Norris hall is still a mess....they havent cleaned it out at all...they've not finished IDing the bodies...and he was in that building on that floor at that time. We're a really close knit family...us bandsmen...us cadets...I dont know what we would do if we lost one of our own...but it will tear us up inside. But we need to stay positive...keep our hopes up...he always was a space cadet....he'll prolly just walk into the dorms around midnight and say whats up.
This guy...this shooter...he was a monster. One of the guys I went through my freshman year with was shot four times. He's stable now though, which is good. People's accounts say that he walked into the classroom and shot the proffesers in the head...then one by one killed the students. I dont think I will ever be able to walk into the building again.
I know I am rambling...I am sorry...I think I need to get this out. He killed people there who were unable to defend themselves. He walked onto a campus where handguns are prohibited...in the state of VA responsible people can carry/carry concealed...but schools cand decide to keep guns of the campus...which VT did. There's a bill going before the Virginia senate that would allow responsible owners to carry even on campus'. I hope they pass it. If there had been a student carrying maybe they could have shot back.
The media is something to be careful of...dont listen to them so much....they're so cold...they werent here...they have no clue what it is like. They are disgusting. There is nothing more frustrating and upsetting than turning on the TV and having something you love beat down. You know what...we should have gotten the email earlier, but it wouldnt have changed a thing...because if he hadnt gone to Norris he may have gone into an admin building, or another dormitory. The media is focusing only on the bad things...negative all the time. It disgusts me as much as it upsets me. They should show how the community is coming together...we are really the only ones who can understand each other right now, though others can lend a shoulder. They could show the vigil where people spoke of their friends and their hopes for people who were hurt...their fears for their friends...where we sang amazing grace and hugged each other because we couldnt sing we were crying so hard. They could show the cadets guarding the pylons in vigil tonight for those that were hurt. The media is full of snakes...and keep in mind when you listen to them saying more can be done for the students....that they are hurting us right now. The students they find dont speak for us....even for the majority...they are just looking for something bad to grab attention on TV.
And along those same lines...for those of us that went through this...we dont want to hear about how the school screwed up because right now we need to come together....we dont need negative at all right now.
I feel....different now. I am depressed....my home has been violated. But I have also seen a level of short life can really be...its not long...and it can be even shorter than it was meant to be. I thank everyone who expressed concern....but at the same time the last time I spoke with some I was very much ostrasized for defending a friend out of loyalty. I see something now....you need to speak to people every day like it was their last...you cant be rude...you cant call names...because you never know if those will be the last words to that person....you never know if those words will follow them to their grave...I dont think people realize this when they talk on the internet.
Thanks for listening...I just came back long enough to share that experience...its been terrible...I am so angry at the same time...I wish the shooter were alive...and I wish they would turn him over to the students...he has hurt us in a way that no one should be hurt...he has violated our saftey. I know at least I can take peace in that he is burning right now.
Please pray for everyone who was effected by this...but especially for those injured that they might heal, for those killed that they have found peace and for those who lost, that overtime the pain may ease and that they can mend.
Back to my black hole to hide, cry and mend.
~Cate


Answer:
Thank you, Cate, for sharing with us. Thank you for letting us know how you are feeling. Thank you for defending your school and community against the onslaught of second-guessers and commentators. You, and your whole community will be in our prayers throughout the coming days. Sending you a hug, store it for when you need one if it isn't welcome right now.


Answer:
Thank you Cate. It means alot to me that you took your time to sit down and write about your experience. You and everyone else in this tragedy will remain in my heart and mind. What a terrible day in the life of that school and this nation. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}


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Cate, you and all the students affected are in my p rayers along with the families & victims of this tragedy. It's just unthinkable.


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Thank God you are alright Cate. How courageous of you to sit down and write your thoughts.
I was just talking to someone this evening about the media and how hard they tried to dig out the negative and blame the University.

You have my prayers.......prayers that you can go on.......find some peace for yourself.

And so many many others to pray for........what do you say? Their losses are huge - the families that have lost beautiful young men and women in the prime of their life.

May God have mercy on us all.


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you and everybody else involving are in my thoughts.
remember to take care of (((cate))) too.


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Hi Cate,
So Sorry to hear that you have been so close to this terrible event.
We are all so glad that you are safe and sound.
You take care mate, .......k ???
Wom


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My heart goes out to you all - what an appalling tragedy.


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This is making we so sad.... . Thanks so much Cate for what you wrote here; it is coming right from your heart
Take care


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Thank you, Ceph, for you outlook on things. I'm truley sorry for your losses and how your heart aches right now. I'll continue to pray for the students & their families.


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Originally Posted by Ceph
I see something now....you need to speak to people every day like it was their last...you cant be rude...you cant call names...because you never know if those will be the last words to that person....you never know if those words will follow them to their grave...
{{Cate}}
I am so very sorry that you have had to experience such a tragedy!!! I'm sorry your and so many families lives will be forever changed by this!!!!
i've been thinking about this since yesterday.. I feel such a deep sorrow. I will never understand why a person would feel like that would be an answer to any problem.. The world is such a sad place and i thank God for wonderful people.. like the people here at Pet Talk who have love and caring in their heart...


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I'm sure I sound really dumb for asking this..but..what happened?


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*HUGS* to you Cate.


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I have one other thing.
This morning we found out that Matt left us yesterday morning while attending classes in Norris Hall. Please pray for his family and his friends...We are broken right now...the crying comes and goes along with the numbness...he was one of my kids...
he was a good kid too...he sometimes was a bit of a doofus...he sometimes did things we didnt understand...but he was a good kid. He was one of the top five cadets in the Air Force accross the Nation. He had a future...and a good one...ahead of him.
please say a prayer for him tonight.
Thanks


Answer:
Ceph,
I am so sorry for what you, and the entire community (and nation for that matter) are going thru right now. I will definitely be keeping you all in my thoughts....
I work at a university and this has once again made me wonder "what if...."
Trinity