24 April 2007
RE: Just trying to deal…
Posted by Brian under: Guest Writer; Virginia Tech .
The following is an email from Meredith Baker:
Andrew,
Thank you for writing your letter, I know that I am not alone in my grief but it is still good to actually hear the words from someone else who understands. Here at work we have all been effected by the events from Monday. One of the professors killed was a civil engineering professor. I had him for a semester as did other people in our office, many non-Hokies here knew him from recruiting and other civil engineering events at Tech.
He was one of the nicest teachers I had at Tech. I feel selfish for dreading finding out the remaining names of the people in Norris because I am scared I will know someone else.
I’m not sure how many of you know this but my older brother has recently gone back to school, he is studying English. I talked to him yesterday, thankfully he is safe and wasn’t on campus at the time. Also, he doesn’t think he had any classes with the shooter.
This morning I was late to work because I just didn’t want to face the day, knowing that as soon as I got in my car and turned on the radio that’s all I would hear about. Unfortunately I was right, you just can’t get away from it. I hate the word “massacre” being associated with Tech, it is an ugly, ugly word and I cringe every time I hear it.
The flip side to this is seeing the enormous display of pride, faith and optimism the students have for Virginia Tech, it made me cry happy tears. I am very proud of them for embracing that hokie spirit and joining together for healing. In an effort to show my support I decided to put my car flags up this morning, not sure when I’ll take them down, but I feel good just having them up.
I am looking forward to graduation. I know it will be different from times past, but I so badly want to be in Blacksburg. I want to sit on a bench, watch the drill field and pray for some peace. I make no apologies for this email, I know my writing is not the best but I needed to feel the Hokie love.
GO HOKIES,
Meredith