As a person who feels emotions like everyone else, I am upset. I am upset that Oklahoma State University has lost so many people who have made this school a place we can all be proud to attend.
I did not know any of the people who perished Saturday night. Nor did most students or others affiliated with OSU — yet we are all deeply affected.
Why are we affected? I cannot explain that, but we are, despite the differences among human beings — all people. And people feel pain. Right now that emotion is shared by all of us.
We like to think that tragedy cannot strike us. We want to believe that the horrible things that happen to others will not happen to us. But the most horrible thing has happened and unfortunately nothing that I, or we, say or do can change that.
When tragedy struck Texas A&M last year during their homecoming, we were upset, even if it did not affect our daily lives. Now, we as students and those affiliated with a school who has lost so many, join the other schools who have lost their own. And they, other students throughout the country, are sympathizing with you — the OSU student in pain.
Yet, somehow I must understand that the pain I feel at this point is insignificant in comparison to that of the family and friends of the victims, who carried titles other than that of OSU student or affiliate.
The OSU basketball team lost not only teammates, but friends and confidants in the media. Our athletic and university administration lost acquaintances and friends as did my colleagues. Yet others lost family members — including fathers, brothers, husbands and sons. Our loss must seem negligible to theirs in comparison.
Yet for some reason we have a hard time trying to understand that. But imagine losing your brother, father or son. That is precisely what so many others directly affected by this tragedy are feeling right now.
Our loss is not totally moot in comparison. As a student myself, I must confess that I am, beyond what I can currently convey to you, upset and when I first heard about the tragedy — I cried.
I don’t really know what else I can say at this point to express how I or you may feel. But sometimes I write poems when I cannot express myself in any other way — and right now I feel like sharing one with you:
In the mist of such soul drenching pain, we mourn the loss of our students and friends, whom tragedy so selfishly claimed, all meeting an untimely end.
They went to Colorado to represent O-State with determination and pride, yet in the line of duty they fell, as they ascended into the cold night sky on a familiar ride, never returning to the continuous tone of Edmon Low’s ringing bells.
And today as I walk to class, I will see my school covered by a thick cloud of grief, reflected in the face of each person I pass, all leaning on each other for relief.
The words now too hard to find, emotions so difficult to express, troubling our hearts and afflicting our minds, comfort from friends and words will be seemingly impossible to harness.
My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the departed. And thank you for sharing them with our school and community.
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