A Hokie Lesson

     This week, an emotionally disturbed student at Virginia Tech decided to deal with his rage by firing upon his fellow students. As I looked over the first pictures from the news report, I tried not to worry. I had a friend that went to Virginia Tech, and I would be terribly unnerved to learn that she had been caught in the attack. I did not have her phone number on hand, so I emailed her as quickly as I could.
     I kept reading the bulletins. I started to grow somber as I saw the body count rise from 9 to 12, then shoot up to the twenties. Then, I came across one photo that showed the cops carrying the body of a girl, that looked very much like my friend, and my thoughts instantly turned for the worst.
     My friend finally got back to me a week later, and I am glad to say she is safe. Thank the Lord! Sadly, one of her friends was killed in the incident. She is pretty shaken about it. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to keep in contact with her a lot more closely.

     The shooting at Virginia Tech really made me evaluate my priorities in staying connected with the people I love. I realize that I am a student and that stuff gets in the way, but then I look at the fact that I haven't tried very hard either. I had not seen my friend at Virginia Tech for over 3 years, and if she had been shot, that would have been it. I would never be able to speak to her again. That hit me like a punch in the gut.
     I know that keeping in touch with friends will be increasingly more difficult after graduation, which is all the more reason to start the good habit now. I know it will be worth the effort. I look at my current habit of promising to email, but then never getting around to it, and it really sickens me. I intend to break this habit. I am so thankful that I have this chance to change my habits, and still be able to tell my friend about it.