Print Print

Virginia Tech: Catastrophe in Real Time

by Karoli on April 16, 2007

I’ve been following the tragedy at Virginia Tech all morning, and came across this incredible blog by Bryce, a student at V-Tech, who has been liveblogging the whole mess from his perspective.

10:48 AM

Right on cue, I heard several faint gunshots from across campus (the Burruss area) as more sirens blared. The announcement repeated as the campus emptied and police ran across campus. I saw snipers on the library. My friend and I went to our dorm as people yelled at windows telling us that classes were canceled.

2:00pm

I cannot begin to describe the pain that runs through me now. The anger, loss, and the unknown.

The only thing I do know is that a list awaits. A list in which may include a friend or several. A list of passion, dreams, aspirations, of life and hope– suddenly gone.

Time has suspended.

I look at Foxnew’s website to see pictures of the dead being carried out of Norris hall. I feel removed, like this isn’t happening here right now. It is on the news someplace far away, and I can just turn off the TV to make it go away.

My friends could be dead. Tears continue.

4:51pm

This support goes way beyond me. This is the support of the nation because each and every student is receiving phone calls from friends and family. It is terribly sad that several dozen calls will now go unanswered.

The strong winds blow and the sun is still out. The day continues as if nothing happened. The blood is surely still wet.

I really appreciate his blog — it’s far more informative to me than much of the posturing and speculating I’m hearing on the live feed from CNN.

I have questions, many questions, but it’s too soon to ask them.  Fears, too, because just as those people may be Bryce’s friends, so too am I facing the possibility of sending my son to a college far away from home, where there are no guarantees of his safety.  Strangely enough, I had less fear sending my oldest off to the Army (we were not in Iraq or anywhere else at the time), than I do now.

Questions later; for now, prayers.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

  • I face the same thing, albeit next year, and the fears -- irrational though they may be -- are the same.

    Thank you as well for the link to the blog -- it's heartbreaking.
  • Liz, I'm as irrational as you then. Even though I know this is not the norm and may not happen again for another 30 years, the emotional part of me is absolutely horrified at the whole thing and the idea of sending my kid that far away from home. I'm sure it'll pass, but it's just...beyond comprehension.
  • I just now got back online after meetings all morning. OMG. I refuse to turn on the television--I remember how I got sucked into watching the same horrific footage again and again of 9/11.

    Thanks for catching Bryce's blog.

    JG decided yesterday where she wants to go, and today I am wondering how I can let her go. It is irrational, I know, but there you have it.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Previous post:

Next post: