It's really been a year??

I got the message from one of my best friend's from high school. I had been on CNN all morning reading and watching the events of the Virginia Tech Massacre unfold. I remember thinking, "Thank God it's not here." Well, what I didn't know and what Cait messaged me shortly therafter was that it was about to hit home in a big way.

My childhood friend Dan O'Neill was killed in the massacre when he was shot in a classroom by the gunman. I didn't quite believe her when she told me, because the names of the victims were not being released yet. I kept checking CNN throughout the day, watching and waiting. It wasn't until I finally saw it in black and white on my computer screen that it became a reality.

As soon as I could, I went home. I grew up in a town in Rhode Island where everyone pretty much knows everyone. I was a "Saylesville" kid(our elementary school)...and so was Dan. We attended school together from Kindergarten until we graduated, and we were often in the same classes. He lived up the street from me our whole lives and he used to skateboard with my brother. He was a part of my childhood.

People came from all over the country, flying in to attend Dan's funeral, the memorials, and pay their respects. Facebook memorials popped up. The website where he had his songs posted (www.residenthippy.com) was flooded with people wanting to hear his beautiful music. Condolences poured in from around the world, and candlelight vigils were aplenty.

Media curiousity was high. Tributes to the victims were on all of the TV channels. In fact, his closest friends threw a memorial concert, and TV crews showed up to broadcast the footage. At his funeral, many people carried black umbrellas to shield themselves from the cameras.

We all came together that week...and we were there for each other. We were united in our childhoods, our memories, friendships, our shared experiences. I can't really describe the sense of community, but it was there. And it gave me hope...that even in the midst of something so unspeakably heinous, there was human compassion.

I can't believe it's really been a year. And I cannot imagine that the grief felt by his passing has subsided. Wherever Dan is now, I hope he is at peace. I know that he is deeply missed.