In the midst of everything else, it is important to remember to keep going. In the days after yesterday's terrible tragedy at VA Tech, people will try to unite, remember, and rebuild from what has happened. A lot of tough questions have already been asked, and will continue to be asked as authorities uncover more information about what led to the shootings. Perhaps in hearing this information, we will all be able to find a little peace.

I attended the vigil for the victims of the attack last night, and it was a very moving and surreal experience. Several hundred people were in attendance, and it made me happy to see our Carolina community pulling together in support of the Hokie community hundreds of miles away. It's good to know that distance nor rivalries keep us from all being human. The sight of a couple hundred candles shining in the night, illuminating somber faces deep in thought and prayer, was definitely one that gave me chills. My brother said that he felt the same way attending a similar vigil at NC State last night; it was an experience he would never forget. The only thing that upsets me is the fact that there have to be vigils for one thing or another; it just reminds me that bad things still happen in the world, and to innocent people who are undeserving of it. If we could go through life without having to plan vigils for rememberance of a tragedy or funerals for those tragically taken from us, then I know we would all be a lot happier.

I am angry at those who are turning the VA Tech tragedy into a political debate over gun rights and which candidates are the ones ideal enough to stop this from happening again. I think no matter what laws we do or don't pass, there are still going to be people out there that will do just what the gunman did at VA Tech Monday: hurt and kill innocent people. Underneath every slice of blame that people lay on an issue is the fact that people do this to each other, without any help from politics. Ever since Cain first took up his hand against Abel and killed him, there has been violence existing in the world, and it will very likely be the end of our humanity as we know it. I don't really see any way that we'll get people to stop fighting against each other, killing each other, and hating each other--unless perhaps we just removed that part of everyone's brain to eradicate those violent impulses. I just hope that we can learn from what has happened, as well as grieve and remember those involved, so that they will not have died in vain.

The words of this song from Nickelback say it very well:

"If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died."

I would like to see that day, perhaps only when it comes time for me to meet my maker.

(I sincerely hope that the power will be on at my apartment later today, I'm tired of having to mooch off of my friends so that I can have light, heat, and warm showers! Come on Duke Energy...)