VA TECH
Home of
The HOKIES
*early evening update to this writing*
It's been a helluva emotional day.
As you will read below.
As I was online the newsflash came up
"A SHOOTER WAS ON THE CAMPUS OF
VA TECH"
and my heart dropped.
Kamryn was
AT
VA TECH
this week
at the Hokie Basketball camp
and
as I listened I heard
that a man with a gun
was seen in front of the building
right next door to where the
kids were all together
at
HOKIE basketball camp.
I felt dread
and a sickness came over me
with racing heart and pulse
and
I immediately texted Angie
with
"THERE IS A SHOOTER ON THE CAMPUS OF TECH, WHERE ARE YOU?"
The phone rang immediately and she told me she had also just heard it
and that she had just gotten off the phone with Dot, (aka> Mom, COB)
who was already on her way there
and
now
Angie too was on her way
to
VA TECH.
Thank God for Mom, she was all over it and enroute to little Kamryn!
I put on the live stream of the current happenings as we talked on the phone
so that she would not feel alone on the drive.
She told me that someone had just "cut her off" on the road as they were making a mad run up the road,
we both figured that they may well be also trying to get to VA TECH
as many were intantly floating back to that day not so long ago of the
VA TECH massacre
when a lone gunman took the lives of so many there.
We were both glad that Mom was already on her way,
and
we both knew that it would take a real big policeman with 4 point restraints to keep her from getting to
Kamryn.
She would not be stopped from that
I knew that much to be certain!
Angie I was so impressed with
as we both had increased heart rates
and we could still talk with reason
and
still laugh
under the very real and perceived threat that filled the airwaves
on that ride.
BUT
make no mistake,
we did feel our bodies under the pressure of
perceived threat
and some lunatic somewhere on campus with a loaded gun
and
could not help but remember
when.
Our phone call ended as she approached the entry to
Tech,
and she told me that she would text once inside
by then they were on
"lockdown".
I was thinking that Kamryn
was probably playing a fierce game
of
basketball
none the wiser of the threat that lingered outside the gymnasium along with the other children.
As parents frantically were making their way back to
Tech
and filled with the possibiliites
and the memories of
what had happened before there.
Children are remarkable that way.
And
after all they get to meet and see the
HOKIES
and to practice their skills and realize their passions and develop their skills.
The update on my phone and the internet
said that the State Police had arrived and the FBI were near; the shooter or "perp" was still at large.
I received a text from
Angie saying she had arrived
and was inside,
Kamryn was happy to see his family there
as they watched his
"moves on the court",
he is talented to be sure.
This is him playing defense,
but
he much prefers having HIS
hands on the ball and shooting "threes"!
When all was said and done,
and meeting the
HOKIES
and posing with pictures
and having his basketball
autographed,
they were
"escorted"
out safely
and able to leave the campus
SAFELY.
I am now breathing better,
Angie is still a bit shaken and I think that is a good thing.
Mom took them to the Red Lobster, and they have talked about it.
Kamryn now knows what was happening there
the 4th day of August 2011
at
VA TECH
the home of the Hokies
in Blacksburg VA.
He was mostly concerned of devouring the crab legs that he ordered
and enjoying his fresh salad
that probably had great tomatoes in it.
And
he was tired from playing basketball
and
thrilled by meeting
Coach Seth Greenberg
and
Paul #32 who mentors him
and
Eric Green #11
><
Coach Seth Greenberg and Kamryn!
Kamryn and #11 Eric Green HOKIE
Kamryn with his pal, mentor/coach: Paul #32
Good luck this year
VA TECH HOKIES
and
thanks for taking care of the kids!
Kamryn will one day be wearing that HOKIE
uniform
cos' he is filled with passion, desire and spirit!
A little force to be reckoned with I'm thinkin.
As for this day?
The threat that could have altered, changed lives in a hot minute?
I am amazed,
I am angry
I am blessed beyond words
a stain glasss of emotions
and
ever so grateful that all are safe as of this writing.
I cannot imagine a world without my family in it
and
especially the kids.
The percieved and very real threat
made once again it come straight at me
the importance of
NOT BLINKING in one's life.
It once again makes me want to stand on a mountain top and shout:
"what will it take for some to truly get it?"
To understand that we have this moment, this day"
What difference does it make if a kid fails a test or a grade and is too afraid or shamed to tell the truth because they do not or cannot bear to hear the judgments or scorn of others?
What difference does it truly make that you got mad at your sister 11 months ago over something so ridiculous that you now cannot remember what it was,
but are too stubborn and mean to accept that
it does not really matter?
How hard is it to say
"I'm sorry"
in the larger scope of things?
and
really now,
what difference does it make in 30 minutes or 32 days
whether you got your feelings hurt
or someone rained on your parade?
Hell there just might be another parade
or
you can start your own
parade.
The hateful spewing of words between friends or family members that amount to egos that are inflated or wounded
as a result of greed or mistrust or words that cannot be taken back
or the distaste of "crow" that every once in awhile must be eaten to move forward
is often of ones own doing.
BUT
make no mistake friends
a day like this day
when you know
that there are kids
in an auditorium
and
one of those kids lives in your heart
is of your blood
and the threat of a shooter is next door
IT HITS YOU WHERE YOU LIVE.
And
if that does not open your eyes
to the uncertainity of your world
then
perhaps
the blindness and coldness of your heart
is indeed of your choosing and permanent.
But then again, you are probably not reading this page!
Have people forgotten
that day of 1995 in Oklahoma City?
of
9/11 in NY, the Pentagon, those brave folks who deterred the third plane to Shanksville?
Today
could have been another one of those
days
just like the last tragedy
at
VA TECH.
Yes, I am on my box now,
who knows at what point I will step down
it may just take someone bold enough to knock me off it!
I do know this;
there are many who stand in their own way, and who seem to go out of their way to hurt or harm others with words, or with actions of passive agressive nature
and try to think they know what is the best way for others
to live their lives.
to live their lives.
And it is in that meddling feelings get trampled
like a stampede of cows
and
sometimes
others never recover from that pain.
And I cannot help but wonder
what those folks get out of such actions;
what those folks get out of such actions;
"did it really matter in the scheme of things?"
Each of us are works in progress,
the children, the adults and the elders...
each on our own paths.
We are not here to judge, only to enjoy ourselves
and each other.
Today
my Godson Kamryn was at VA TECH to play basketball with other kids.
Others were there to learn.
And all of a sudden a man was seen with a gun on campus
and
that meant that all there were in harms way.
It is time
to love those
and
hug those you love
and
hug those you love
with
unconditional positive regard.
DON'T BLINK
things can change in a hot minute.
To Kamryn,
Mom, Angie, and D'Vante
Mom, Angie, and D'Vante
I am so very thankful you are safe and together. May the Creator bless and keep you safe, enjoying each other, laughing and loving each other.
From a distance, my arms are around you.
The fire is burning and the sage is lit, with thoughts and prayers to all who enter here.
Walk in Beauty
*****
update:
After returning home safely
and
updating Kamryn on the events that led
him to leave the building with a police escort
he looked in awe
and
asked
"why would someone do this".
Mom and Angie talked with him and he was listening intently
and
then showing resiliency and the understanding of a
hungry 9 year old
attacked his crab legs
with his hands and teeth and enjoyed each bite
and
the love and attention
of
mom and angie
both still in shock from
the day.
I later talked with them
after they returned safely home
only to hear the conflict in the background
as
D'Vante was having "issues/attitude"
and
the "it's all about me I am 17 tomorrow"
and
I could feel "cold chills going off in my brain"
once again
amazed at the selfishness of ways
and
OMG
I was fit to be tied.
BUT
mostly I was filled with such gratitude that I wept.
Later when I spoke to Mom
and
we got past the drama
of the moment
she
through her tears
told me of her fears
and thoughts as she drove to Tech.
And
again I wept.
Angie is now resting, Mom as well.
I spoke to D'Vante
and was firm, I was real, and I did NOT soft soap
what
"could have been a tragedy that could have forever altered the course of his life"
while reminding him
of
the reality of the life he is standing in
and
the silliness of knee jerk reactions
and
the inability to take back words spoken in haste
while
not recognizing
the pain of others
as they now try to stop the adrenalin
that allowed them to remain calm in the face of threat.
It is now evening
and
I'm sure we will all take a few days to get this out of our system,
I guess that it will serve as a strong
reminder.
I tried to explain it to D'Vante
like this:
"you know how your heart starts to beat really fast as you approach the line of the football field;
the ball is snapped and you have tunnel vision
and you have one thing and one thing only
and you see them coming straight after you?"
And your heart is racing?
Well son, that is how everyone associated with Tech was feeling; now add to that a gun, and the very real threat that someone or many someone's including your little brother, your aunt and your mother
could have been shot as they approached the car
and
there you go.
And now that they are home safely
you want to walk with attitude over a
cell phone? Really?
Are you kidding me?
Think for a moment, of the larger picture here
and
of "does it really matter"?
C'mon now, you are bigger than this moment?
Dig a little deeper in the caring well of your soul
and
go and hug your brother and Mom, call your Aunt
and
be glad they are alive.
AND
on that note
I'm goin to throw myself into the pool
and
forget that other people just
sometimes stand on my very last nerve
over issues
that are created just to piss me off
in the scheme of things.
Don't blink
things can change in a heart beat
and this thing
and those people you love
can be gone from sight
...
Will the squabble or the mess u stirred in yesterday have really been worth it
when you look back?
Will wasting time and energy have been
looked on as
time spent spinning in a circle
or
time spent enjoying each breath?
Ah those choices,
but
for today
VA TECH IS SAFE
so far as I hear,
but
my family is safe
and for that
I say
thank you.
*****
update:
After returning home safely
and
updating Kamryn on the events that led
him to leave the building with a police escort
he looked in awe
and
asked
"why would someone do this".
Mom and Angie talked with him and he was listening intently
and
then showing resiliency and the understanding of a
hungry 9 year old
attacked his crab legs
with his hands and teeth and enjoyed each bite
and
the love and attention
of
mom and angie
both still in shock from
the day.
I later talked with them
after they returned safely home
only to hear the conflict in the background
as
D'Vante was having "issues/attitude"
and
the "it's all about me I am 17 tomorrow"
and
I could feel "cold chills going off in my brain"
once again
amazed at the selfishness of ways
and
OMG
I was fit to be tied.
BUT
mostly I was filled with such gratitude that I wept.
Later when I spoke to Mom
and
we got past the drama
of the moment
she
through her tears
told me of her fears
and thoughts as she drove to Tech.
And
again I wept.
Angie is now resting, Mom as well.
I spoke to D'Vante
and was firm, I was real, and I did NOT soft soap
what
"could have been a tragedy that could have forever altered the course of his life"
while reminding him
of
the reality of the life he is standing in
and
the silliness of knee jerk reactions
and
the inability to take back words spoken in haste
while
not recognizing
the pain of others
as they now try to stop the adrenalin
that allowed them to remain calm in the face of threat.
It is now evening
and
I'm sure we will all take a few days to get this out of our system,
I guess that it will serve as a strong
reminder.
I tried to explain it to D'Vante
like this:
"you know how your heart starts to beat really fast as you approach the line of the football field;
the ball is snapped and you have tunnel vision
and you have one thing and one thing only
and you see them coming straight after you?"
And your heart is racing?
Well son, that is how everyone associated with Tech was feeling; now add to that a gun, and the very real threat that someone or many someone's including your little brother, your aunt and your mother
could have been shot as they approached the car
and
there you go.
And now that they are home safely
you want to walk with attitude over a
cell phone? Really?
Are you kidding me?
Think for a moment, of the larger picture here
and
of "does it really matter"?
C'mon now, you are bigger than this moment?
Dig a little deeper in the caring well of your soul
and
go and hug your brother and Mom, call your Aunt
and
be glad they are alive.
AND
on that note
I'm goin to throw myself into the pool
and
forget that other people just
sometimes stand on my very last nerve
over issues
that are created just to piss me off
in the scheme of things.
Don't blink
things can change in a heart beat
and this thing
and those people you love
can be gone from sight
...
Will the squabble or the mess u stirred in yesterday have really been worth it
when you look back?
Will wasting time and energy have been
looked on as
time spent spinning in a circle
or
time spent enjoying each breath?
Ah those choices,
but
for today
VA TECH IS SAFE
so far as I hear,
but
my family is safe
and for that
I say
thank you.
