Tragedy does something to me. It just turns on a switch inside me and allows me to connect a different side of myself. It's easier for me to write when tragedy has striked. This is not to say that I wish for tragedy to happen often so I can write, because that would be horrible. Besides, there are other instances that I find inspirational.

But this morning I realized just how fortunate we are everyday.

I was going my usual way to campus this morning, but I didn't go very far because I was blocked by a school bus and emergency vehicles. I called my mom, who had left shortly before me, just to make sure she wasn't involed with the incident. Thankfully she had not. And I thought about it. Today is the eighth anniversary of Columbine. A similar tragedy struck Virginia just Monday. A wreck happened less than a mile down from where I live. Anyone could have been involved. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Anyone I know can go at any time.

And they have. Ellen Dent left us on January 9, 2004, and Bruce Gilley left us August 20 of that same year. I didn't know either of them extremely well, but what interaction I had with them was meaningful, and their passings grieved me. I don't know anyone near VA Tech, but I mourn for them. I empathize with them. Shortly after Columbine I read books about a couple of the different victims and felt a connection with one of them that made me feel as if she was a long lost friend.

I hope each and every one of you knows that I love you. And I mean it. With all my heart. Maybe one day I will take the time to tell you how much and what about you specifically. But today just know that you are loved.

I don't know how much longer it's going to take me to write my novel. But I am very inspired now. I hope it continues. But without tragedy. Instead I would like a constant reminder running through my head, how very fortunate we all are to be here today.