On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the shootings at Virginia Tech, profound thoughts or words are not accessible. What I am thinking about, however, is how grateful I am for where we are in light of where we have been.

The world has come to our aid and support and has learned from our experiences. As I reflect personally--as an alum of Virginia Tech, as a pastor in this community for almost 15 years, and as a campus minister--I know that if I had to go through this with any university community, I am grateful to have experienced this here with these people around me.

I am grateful for ...

Glade Church, an amazing, resilient, compassionate people who have been present for each other, this community, and for me in my own recent personal loss and grief.

This university! Its president, provost, administrative staff, police department, counseling staff, professors, instructors, and student body--the best of the best that humanity has to offer in the worst of the worse times that humanity can suffer.

Our emergency responders! Police departments, fire and rescue squads, emergency room staffs, The Red Cross--we so take them for granted.

The human services available in this area! Therapists, counselors, social workers, mental health professionals of every flavor, an amazing cornucopia of resources in days/daze when we needed them all.

Residents of Blacksburg who volunteered in ways known and a million more unknown, helping Virginia Tech inventory the more than 14,500 responses a day bearing thoughts and kindness from around the world, and just showing up, being present, being community.

And, throughout this last year, I was reminded of my gratitude for being a Virginian. If I had to experience this anywhere in a state-university setting, I would want this governor leading us! Gov. Kaine's sensitivity and support for this university, his thoughtful words ... he has been both governor and spiritual presence. What a gift!

April 16, 2007, changed our lives, but it did not it define our lives. How we have lived out of the tragedy speaks volumes. And now, we continue to heal, continue to hope, continue to be community... with gratitude for all who have passed through our little church in person, by e-mail, through cards, banners, calls, and most of all, prayers.

With deepest gratitude ... and hope ...

Kelly

"The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms