today we are all hokies

i want to take a moment to interrupt my usual sarcasm and banter on behalf of two of my favorite people in the world, my sisters.


four years ago today, an otherwise normal day, as we all went about our business, the lives of 32 bright, innocent people were taken. i will never, ever forget that day. sitting in my cube at my relatively new job half a world away from my baby sister. i remember i was wearing a white turtleneck when i read the report that someone had been shot in her dorm. i don't remember the turn of events for the next little bit. i don't remember if i spoke to her before the reports flooded in about this madman on the loose in a building on campus. i do remember speaking to her though, finally, and her healthy yet terrified voice was like a chorus of angels in my ears. i remember realizing there are 32 other sisters or brothers, mothers or fathers, who were not having a tidal wave of relief flood their body as they received the opposite news. i will never forget the hurt in my other sister's voice. the campus she has loved since we moved her into campbell hall in 1995 has been forever changed. i will never forget leaving work that day, my white turtleneck stained in the sleeves and collar from smudged make-up and mascara from the tears shed from fear, sadness, hurt, happiness...and most of all relief. and for the next week, and every 4.16 from then on out, i trade in my purple and gold for a day of maroon and orange (i think my duke dog approves).

{source}

today we are all hokies. today we will neVer forgeT. today we put aside the rivalry, and today we remember 4.16.07