February 15, 2008
NIU Tragedy
*Cross-Posted from Moms Speak Up.
I’m feeling distraught as I read more news reports about the shooting at Northern Illinois University. The sick feeling in my stomach won’t go away. Thinking about the six people who have lost their lives, on Valentine’s Day of all days, is making me cry.
Yesterday my husband and I met my parents for dinner and while we waited for our table, we watched the news that was covering this tragedy. The camera captured footage of crying students with expressions of shock, fear and grief on their faces. I couldn’t stand to look at the screen. Flashbacks of Virginia Tech began to fill my mind.
How could this happen, I thought. What possessed this man to do something so terrible? I can only hope this never happens again, but I found myself wondering, “Which school is next?”
It keeps hitting closer to home. The Virginia Tech tragedy seemed so far away. It was shocking and devastating, but I couldn’t comprehend anything like that happening near me. And while Illinois is still 200 miles away, it felt like my heart had been broken.
I live in a college town. I can’t bear to think that someone could walk into the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and open fire in a lecture hall. But it could happen. How do we prevent these vicious acts?
How do we stop crazy people from taking the lives of others?
As a mother, my instinct is to protect my child from anything that can harm him. But when he grows up and goes to college, I can’t be there to shelter him from the maniacs of this world. It breaks my heart. It scares me so much that I want to lock my son up until he’s old enough to protect himself, but even that seems naive and crazy.
What do we do? As parents, as citizens of this country, how can we stop these terrible shootings?
Is it the fault of our government? Poor legislation? Do we blame the parents of these murderers for not raising them right?
I know I’m looking for answers that I may never find; it’s like looking for the needle in the haystack.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I don’t even know what else to say. I just can’t believe this is happening again.
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February 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am, yoshi Says:
It is truly a sad thing, and we were saddened to hear this news.
I’m sure that we could never know why it happened or what we could have done to prevent it. It’s so sad and heartbreaking indeed.
I’m so ready for all the school shootings to be over. something has to be done. But can it?
February 15th, 2008 at 11:14 am, dana Says:
I just don’t know what to say anymore. I’m at a loss for words. I think I just have to pray for right now.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am, University Update - Virginia Tech - NIU Tragedy Says:
[...] Forest University NIU Tragedy » This Summary is from an article posted at The Dana Files on Friday, February 15, 2008 This [...]
February 18th, 2008 at 8:21 pm, Daisy Says:
I hear you on the college town comparison; I’m within walking distance of a small liberal arts university. I can’t imagine something happening there, but it could.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm, Michael Says:
I’m an NIU student, and was on campus moments before it happened. Today was our first day back after a week, and it still seems like it happened yesterday. You’d never think something like this would happen at your University. All I can tell you is I’ve crossed Cole Hall 3 different times today, and I’ve cried each time. It’s impossible to not think about, and the media doesn’t make it any easier. I just wish people would get off our campus, because reporters only make it more difficult to get over.