I know unless you are living under a rock the last day, you will know that we have had a major tragedy here in Blacksburg, Virginia. I can't even begin to describe for you how this has rocked our little town of Blacksburg. We moved out of Northern Virginia to get out of this stuff. I thought we had seen the end of our "running from snipers" days when we moved out of Manassas. Today, I found myself walking into Starbucks with the exact feeling I had when the sniper was on the run in the DC area a few years ago.
I heard about the first shooting right away in the morning and then heard the details of the additional shootings as they unfolded, while I was working at Starbucks. We were the only place open in downtown Blacksburg. It was a mixed feeling of being upset we were still open, but proud that we were not going to let fear shut us down.
As the casualty numbers began to rise, I thought at first they were merely talking about injuries, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach when I realized they were talking about deaths.
As of now we don't know if we know anyone hurt or killed. We have heard of 2 people who are in our various ministry connections that are "missing", and we are hoping it is just a loss of confusion in the midst of almost no cell phone connection and scattered individuals.
We have allowed our phone number to be posted on Virginia Tech's InterVarsity's web site (a college ministry I have been involved with for over 10 years) and as a result we have gotten calls from all over the world. Just tonight, Jeff will be on the morning radio show for a Christian radio station in New Zealand. We have opened our house to students who need to get away from campus or parents who need a place to stay (there are many coming to town just to give their kids some comfort). Tomorrow we will babysit a bunch of kids as their parents attend a campus memorial service and we are hoping to host a dinner for students tomorrow night. We received a call from CNN asking if they could get footage of any prayer vigil or student gathering we hold, so we will see. We are trying to do our part to be there for others.
A dear friend of mine from high school (thanks Chris M.) turned me on to a book called "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving, which they later made into a movie called "Simon Birch". (Not nearly as good as the book) Basically, the essence of the story is that this misfit kid who never really fit in in life and spent a great deal of time alone develops this set of quirks and repetitive things that he likes to do. Sometimes it is the same types of disappointments repeating throughout his life. At the end this specific set of events form a major tragedy and Owen must use his long history of gifts, disappointments, quirks and will to save the day. He realizes his life full of disappointment and adversity prepared him for this moment. I felt like Owen Meany today. I understood grief in a depth I would not have known a year ago. I prayed in a way I could not have prayed a year ago and I understand the darkness the heart feels with such unexplainable pain. I guess I can thank cancer for that. I huddled around these students at this prayer vigil and was able to remove myself enough from the situation to truly be there for them. It was a good feeling.
Thank you for those of you who have contacted us. Please continue to pray for us as we try to comfort others. Please pray for Jeff as he wrestles with the tragedy that happened in a building he had many classes in and most importantly, please pray for the families of the victims.
Kat
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8 comments:
Thank you for posting this on your blog. As a Virginia Tech Mom (Colin spent 6 years at VT & in Blacksburg), this tragedy rocked our home last night. Colin, too, was in the Engineering Dept. and had classes in Norris. We have friends who rushed to VT yesterday to find and be with their kids. Kat & Jeff, I am so grateful that God placed you in Blacksburg for such a time as this. What can we do from a distance, other than pray for the wounded, the families of victims, and the VT college community? Colin is organic farming all over the world. Bob & I never dreamed he'd be safer in Thailand (where he is now) than on campus in Blacksburg. This horror is impossible to fathom or comprehend. May God have mercy on the soul of young Cho Seung-Hui, who I understand was the shooter. And may His grace be sufficient for us all.
Kat - I discovered your blog after receiving your Christmas card and now frequent it often. I don't know you and Jeff very well, but I must tell you that your story and your experience are so very inspirational. Reading your blog is like a book I couldn't put down. Having lost my dad to a very sudden heart attack in June '06, I too have been given an appreciation for just how precious life is that I didn't possess before my he died. In a way, I felt like I could relate to what you were going through because of what I was going through, even though my experience didn't involve breast cancer. I thank you for sharing it with us and I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts, especially in light of the recent and senseless tragedy at Tech yesterday. It is unfathomable and hits close to home, as Mark and I are both VT alum as well. Thank you again for being so open, honest, and brave. You are truly a role model and have touched more people that I think you will ever realize.
Kat,
if you need any help with food prep or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can send you my phone number via e-mail if you want it.
Crystal
Kat - thank you for your view on this - I'm not sure if you remember me - I am Dan Hartley's Aunt from Ohio - it is just hard to phathom the emotions and takes me back to 9/11.
Hugs to all - you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hey Kat, Hey Jeff,
It has been along time. I think about you guys and Matt alot. I tell your story and how you both dealt with and rebounded so well from all the "tragic" eventes of the last year or so. It is amazing or more accurately bewildering to me that we are all placed in situations where we never think we should be. We always ask, "why me?". I have only recently begun to understand that there is a reason and that we are chosen for specific tasks and events because our characters allow us to be useful in those situations. Thank you and Jeff for being there for the community. The events of yesterday hit home with me more than usual, probably because I was a student sitting in that building 5 years ago, and that I had friends on that floor of the dorm. While you are part of that community and are feeling the pain and sadness, you are an inspiration and a light shining in the cloud of sadness that is everyones hearts right now. Tell Matt I say hi.
Dan Hartley
Good to know that your family is o.k.,but have been placed in the middle of this "TRAGEDY" for such a time as this.I believe you have been statigically placed right where you are.Thank-you ,Thank-you for your blog over and over again,not only for the updates on your family ,but the comments that others post help me stay connected to folks I havn't heard from or seen in along time.Colin Walsh in Thailand Organic Farming,who would have ever thought it!!!!Our God is more than amazing.Shalom,G
Hey Kat,
I just finished watching you on Fox News with Shep Smith. Very well done!!
I'm so glad you and Jeff are there to help the students and all the people of your community through this tragic time. Know that the hearts and prayers of all of us at Texas Tech and throughout the city of Lubbock and the state of Texas are with all of you.
Lots of love and hugs,
Amy
PS You looked great too! It was neat to see you come across my tv screen in the middle of the day. I just wish it had been under better circumstances. I miss you!
Kathleen,
I am a Bernard cousin from Bridgeport, NE – Laura (Didier) Wickard. We have been watching the news and praying for all those involved with the VA Tech massacre which now includes you and your family who are reaching out to the hurting people. I guess I just missed seeing your interview with Shephard Smith. My husband caught the end of it. It’s hard to imagine being so close to such a tragedy. The Bible tells us to weep with those who weep. And we have definitely been weeping a lot lately. We have had several funerals here recently for people who have died young and unexpectedly, but it can’t compare to the pain and disbelief in your community. My heart goes out to you!
God Bless You!!
Laura
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