Emotions

Oh.

I can't get my head around this.

Over the past several hours I've been through fear, dread, hope, relief, then back to sadness, grief, devastation, loss.

My Daughter is fine. Her cell phone was turned off, though, and I left lots of messages:

"It's Mom, please call me."

"Honey, give me a call as soon as you can."

"Bebe'-- I need for you to call me as soon as you get this......"

I got a call from one of her sorority sisters who graduated last year and is far away from campus:

"Have you heard from her?"

Me: "No. Her phone goes right to voicemail."

"Well I have to find out if she's ok. I'm calling one of the sisters down there to go check on her."

Meanwhile-- calls and emails from family and friends, knitting buddies and coworkers.

Then the most wonderful call I've ever received:

"Mom, I just woke up. I don't have class today. What's going on?"
"Oh, Sweetie-- it's so awful......"

How do I thank you for your caring?

How do I thank God for the life of my child?

How do I deal with knowing that so many parents are not as fortunate as I?

How do I handle the anger I feel at the violation of this lovely place-- our safe haven away from home?

I just don't know what to think.

Please say a prayer for all who are not as fortunate as we are.

And give your kids a hug.