Candlelight

A year ago tonight we didn’t know who they were; we didn’t even know how many there were. We watched the news, called each other and waited. As bad as the news of the shooting at Virginia Tech was on the 16th, it got worse in the following days when we put names to the victims. Now we know that one man killed 32 people before he killed himself. The wounded are too numerous to count… the people with physical wounds, those who have lost family or friends, the people who love Virginia Tech. In the twelve months since there has been healing and forgiveness.

As I write this, I’m watching the candlelight vigil on the Drill Field. The only sounds are the voices reading 32 names and the crunch of gravel as 32 individual candles are being carried to, and lit from, one large candle (made of wax from last year’s candles) that has burned all day at the memorial. The light of those 32 flames is echoed across the Drill Field. It is stunning to listen to the silence.

And now, Taps is played.

A group sings this song by Eddie From Ohio:

Walk humbly, son, walk humbly, now,
and cherish every step.
For a life well spent, on this
earth we're lent, will be marked by the void you have left.

Walk humbly, son, and store your pride
When you need strength later on
For your life's worth will be judged if Earth
Is saddened when you are gone

Walk humbly, son, Walk humbly now
And forget not where you are from
May you go further than those before
And provide for those to come

Will you walk humbly, son?

And so, the program officially concluded.
Candles were held high.

Then the chant began: Let’s go… Hokies!

In the next twelve months I hope there will be more healing and more forgiveness.
Virginia Tech does prevail.