Love your writing, it is nice to hear someone speak about it in a human way. I’m currently a student at Old Dominion. Most if not all of my friends take courses taught in that building. Watching it unfold in real time was something else. It’s hard to fully grasp that it really happened here.
Abby, I am so sorry. I can’t even image what that day was like for all of you. We all feel violated but for everyone on campus that day I am sure it is amplified. I am an alum and two of my sons completed their under grad ODU, my youngest is returning in May for his DPT. Know that this post was also an anthem WE will not let this moment rob what the community and ODU represent. 💕hugs to you, your friends and your parents. As a mom it is a bit unnerving. Know I am here to support you and your writing. ~M~
I feel this, I see these stories on the news again and again and my heart breaks. This piece draws me in to a new place, the place when the distance disappears. When the place on the screen is suddenly somewhere you know. Somewhere your children have walked.
That quiet shift from “over there” to “this could be here” is heavy to carry.
I felt the weariness in your words. Not outrage, not panic, but that deep tiredness that comes from witnessing the same horror again and again.
And yet I was struck by the way you end, not with the horror but with learning continuing, with students still walking those paths. It feels like a kind of quiet defiance. The insistence that places of learning still matter, even in a world that feels more fragile than it once did.
Nat - thank you for feeling every word I wrote this morning. I am tired - tired of the senseless acts we see on the news each and every day. When it happens in places that are dear to you, and literally around the corner it gives you perspective. May we not become so complacent as to deem this normal. This is anything but normal and I am outraged that it continues. You are right, the ending was intentional. Thank you for reading this with care and compassion. Your words mean more than you could ever know.
Thank you for this Seth. This one kind of knocked me over for a few days. Way too close to home. It does hit differently when you relate to the place doesn’t it.
Oh, absolutely. I was off my game for about a month afterwards. That's where I took Physics for a year. Same goddamn classroom. I could even visualize where the gunman entered and exited. I'm so sorry to hear it about OD and I'm just glad more people weren't killed. - Seth ✦
I totally agree with how this violence has become normalized. Deeply thoughtful post. It reminded me of an earlier post of mine after the shooting at Brown where our daughter is a graduate student.
We are living in a dangerous cycle where frequency leads to desensitization, and convenience leads to silence. But we can’t let this be the 'new normal.' For those of us who still see the tragedy for what it is—especially when it hits as close to home as this has for you—standing up is the only path forward. We have to keep fighting for our kids and our world. Stay strong.
Sorry to read about this! Yes, gun violence on campuses and around the U.S./world is rampant, particularly nowadays. I hope we can finally start to get gun violence under control. Hard to hear about such issues so regularly.
Yeah we all seem to compartmentalize until it is in our own backyard. Then it lands differently. The ROTC instructor was a friend of one of my friends who works on Campus. Just crazy that places likes schools and places of worship are not safe.
I could really feel the pain seeping through the words, aa someone who adores universities & has spent almost a decade studying in them; this felt really close. I'm ever so broken about the gun laws in the States, like it's insane that nothing had changed even after sooo many incidents
Yeah as an academic, mother, and friend - it hits hard. Funny how we can compartmentalize when it is just the news, but when it happens right around the corner.... whole different story. Thanks for reading and weighing in with your kind thoughts and perspective.
Thank you for sharing this. These much-to-frequent, horrific events seem like distant headlines and news stories until they reach too close to home through a familiar setting or touching someone close. For me, it was the Boston Marathon bombing and seeing old friends who had been maimed screaming out on the news in pain, shock, and terror.
How do we not develop an immunity to these happenings? What is our course of reaction?
Stephen - honestly I don't have the answers. I do not have a well thought out response. What I know is we MUST do better and for today my way of processing was to do an emotional dump into this space. Perhaps if enough voices speak up something will eventually change - For today, I pray for my community and that is the best I can do.
Reading this from nearby in VA Beach. Thinking of everyone connected to ODU and this community today. 🤍
I was a student at VA Tech when the shootings happened there, so reading this brought back a lot of memories of how deeply these events ripple through a community and the strength it takes to move forward.
Hi Jenny - thank you. I am sure this was a trigger for you, I am sorry you experienced the VA Tech shootings. It indeed causes a ripple effect, even if not personally affected by injury the reminder that places that should be safe are not is unsettling. Just too close to home. Hugs my friend.
Love your writing, it is nice to hear someone speak about it in a human way. I’m currently a student at Old Dominion. Most if not all of my friends take courses taught in that building. Watching it unfold in real time was something else. It’s hard to fully grasp that it really happened here.
Abby, I am so sorry. I can’t even image what that day was like for all of you. We all feel violated but for everyone on campus that day I am sure it is amplified. I am an alum and two of my sons completed their under grad ODU, my youngest is returning in May for his DPT. Know that this post was also an anthem WE will not let this moment rob what the community and ODU represent. 💕hugs to you, your friends and your parents. As a mom it is a bit unnerving. Know I am here to support you and your writing. ~M~
I feel this, I see these stories on the news again and again and my heart breaks. This piece draws me in to a new place, the place when the distance disappears. When the place on the screen is suddenly somewhere you know. Somewhere your children have walked.
That quiet shift from “over there” to “this could be here” is heavy to carry.
I felt the weariness in your words. Not outrage, not panic, but that deep tiredness that comes from witnessing the same horror again and again.
And yet I was struck by the way you end, not with the horror but with learning continuing, with students still walking those paths. It feels like a kind of quiet defiance. The insistence that places of learning still matter, even in a world that feels more fragile than it once did.
Nat - thank you for feeling every word I wrote this morning. I am tired - tired of the senseless acts we see on the news each and every day. When it happens in places that are dear to you, and literally around the corner it gives you perspective. May we not become so complacent as to deem this normal. This is anything but normal and I am outraged that it continues. You are right, the ending was intentional. Thank you for reading this with care and compassion. Your words mean more than you could ever know.
Thank you. This is a place to be heard
It doesn't stop.
I don't believe it.
But, yes. I get it.
I spent at least a full year in the same Brown University classroom in the B&H building where the mass shooting took place just three months ago.
And now this with Old Dominion.
Lost between the front-page war headlines.
People will forget.
I won't.
- Seth ✦
Thank you for this Seth. This one kind of knocked me over for a few days. Way too close to home. It does hit differently when you relate to the place doesn’t it.
Oh, absolutely. I was off my game for about a month afterwards. That's where I took Physics for a year. Same goddamn classroom. I could even visualize where the gunman entered and exited. I'm so sorry to hear it about OD and I'm just glad more people weren't killed. - Seth ✦
All is true. ODU forward. May the madness end.
I totally agree with how this violence has become normalized. Deeply thoughtful post. It reminded me of an earlier post of mine after the shooting at Brown where our daughter is a graduate student.
https://substack.com/@nabanita3/note/p-182705983?r=6ake2p&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I’m so sorry you and your daughter have felt this as well. I appreciate you.
We are living in a dangerous cycle where frequency leads to desensitization, and convenience leads to silence. But we can’t let this be the 'new normal.' For those of us who still see the tragedy for what it is—especially when it hits as close to home as this has for you—standing up is the only path forward. We have to keep fighting for our kids and our world. Stay strong.
I am glad I am not alone in my absolute frustration that this keeps happening. It is becoming far too common.
Sorry to read about this! Yes, gun violence on campuses and around the U.S./world is rampant, particularly nowadays. I hope we can finally start to get gun violence under control. Hard to hear about such issues so regularly.
Yeah we all seem to compartmentalize until it is in our own backyard. Then it lands differently. The ROTC instructor was a friend of one of my friends who works on Campus. Just crazy that places likes schools and places of worship are not safe.
Wow, yeah. Very sorry to hear about that.
I could really feel the pain seeping through the words, aa someone who adores universities & has spent almost a decade studying in them; this felt really close. I'm ever so broken about the gun laws in the States, like it's insane that nothing had changed even after sooo many incidents
Yeah as an academic, mother, and friend - it hits hard. Funny how we can compartmentalize when it is just the news, but when it happens right around the corner.... whole different story. Thanks for reading and weighing in with your kind thoughts and perspective.
Thank you for sharing this. These much-to-frequent, horrific events seem like distant headlines and news stories until they reach too close to home through a familiar setting or touching someone close. For me, it was the Boston Marathon bombing and seeing old friends who had been maimed screaming out on the news in pain, shock, and terror.
How do we not develop an immunity to these happenings? What is our course of reaction?
Stephen - honestly I don't have the answers. I do not have a well thought out response. What I know is we MUST do better and for today my way of processing was to do an emotional dump into this space. Perhaps if enough voices speak up something will eventually change - For today, I pray for my community and that is the best I can do.
Emotional dumping, using your voice, and praying are ALL positive actions! Spread the word.
Sending continual support...
Thanks Stephen
Thank you for shedding light on this tragedy rooted in gun violence. I am sorry this hits so close to you.
What a great read this was !
Thank you
Reading this from nearby in VA Beach. Thinking of everyone connected to ODU and this community today. 🤍
I was a student at VA Tech when the shootings happened there, so reading this brought back a lot of memories of how deeply these events ripple through a community and the strength it takes to move forward.
Hi Jenny - thank you. I am sure this was a trigger for you, I am sorry you experienced the VA Tech shootings. It indeed causes a ripple effect, even if not personally affected by injury the reminder that places that should be safe are not is unsettling. Just too close to home. Hugs my friend.
Very powerful. Get some rest my friend. Look forward to more of your work. :)
Thank you Sarah - sometimes we just have to write out the feelings, today was one of those days.
Siiii I get that. I will die an optimist.