The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
so I pick up today's newspaper, and I had heard about the tragic shooting yesterday...but it was "only" two people and they were "only" in critical condition. And they WERE at one of the THE best hospitals right? And then the paper says 33 people. Dead. And I'm like, No no no no no. Someone's got their facts wrong. Especially since a childhood friend of mine went there. Yeah. Someone's got their facts wrong. No, no facts wrong. No no. I sat there, read the paper in disbelief. Listened to NPR, because, after all, NPR can't make mistakes, right? And then I called one of the OTHER childhood friends I knew, who was much closer to our mutual friend. Yes, our mutual friend was alive. Shaken up, understandably, but alive. Did they need anything?, I asked I don't know, I was told. So I went to the school website, and scoured for my childhood friend. Emailed her. And found her number. She's been crying, all night. Hasn't slept. You could tell by listening. She said she was going to the vigil. No, she doesn't need anything. Not yet. She'll call. She doesn't know when. She doesn't know where she's at, she said. She's trying to get a grip that this happened at HER school. Her parents aren't answering their phone. Answering machine's probably full. Maybe they're with her. Maybe they're at work. I don't know.
And I couldn't help but think, this could happen at MY school. We have stuff like this happen AT my school. When I lived in the dorms, I had to live in a state of denial to get through the fear. Girls getting gang raped. People getting mugged. People getting car jacked. And none of it being done by University students. People from "the outside" acting like "one of us" and "doing this stuff." I wanna say that the university is "business as usual," but it isn't. In fact, people at teh Women's Crisis Center were talking about it SO much, I asked for a moratorium. "Please, I've been on the phone since 730 am," I said; "that it's happened at all is a tragedy, do we have to keep obsessing and obsessing?" Obsession is never a good thing. I've never found it to be, at least. I keep thinking about the last time my friend, the one @ VTech, was this freaked out about something. It was her AP exams. She was sure she failed the calc one. A 3 MAYBE. She got a 5.
my heart goes out to those affected directly and indirectly by this horrible tragedy in virginia. i feel such pain and sadness... even though there is nothing i can do..... i know that i can.... and i will......continue to pray that the parents of the adult children .... (((All))) involved in this can get beyond it and move on with their lives very soon. i know it wont be easy. you know...there really are no words to express such a loss, such a bizarre happening.
I pray HP/God be with each and every one. ((Tiger)) thanks for posting.
All you can do is give your friend time to heal. I'm glad she's okay. A friend of mine was on the faculty up until last year. I emailed him and sent him my love and prayers. I know he knew some of the victims. I know he is hurting. I called his wife and sent my condolences as well. When they are ready they will reach out.
As for all the talking, at this stage I believe it is healthy. I have taught so many classes on violence that it makes my head spin. I can't make sense out of it either. All we can do is try and learn from this tragedy. A relative of mines lives 3 blocks from Columbine and while her children were too young to be at the school, they are now. She lost a neighbor in that tragedy. There was nothing I could say. But I just wanted to let her know that she was in my love and prayers and I would be here for her if she needed anything. Keeping the lines of communication open is the best we can do. It's when people start obessessing about it down the road that the red flags can go off.
Just be the sweet loving Tiger you are to her, and in time she will reach out. Right now I'm guessing she's still pretty numb. She's knows and appreciates your kind words, even if she can't cope with them right now.
Love and blessings to you.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
