I felt deeply wounded, dumbfounded, and saddened to watch the tragedy unfold at my father’s alma mater on the news yesterday. Although I was a child when my father attended classes at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, I remember the wonderful and peaceful community, grounds, and small-town atmosphere that Blacksburg and Virginia Tech continues to maintain.

When I called my parents at noon yesterday to ask if they heard the news about the shootings, my mother informed me that they had just learned about them and that my father was speechless. But we cannot possibly comprehend the depth of your pain and loss. We can just hope and pray that your healing will be filled with hope, strength, and understanding.