This was published in the Eureka College Pegasus 2/29/08
Remembering and Moving on After Valentine’s Day
By Eddie Zordani
A lot has happened in the world since the last issue of the Pegasus hit the EC news stands. For me one event in particular stood out among the rest. Regrettably, it was the shooting at Northern Illinois University on Valentine’s Day. Over the past two weeks we have learned more and more about the terrible events that day, but one thing that has not been spread around is how to cope with the loss. Even if you do not know anyone who attends NIU, the event still rings rather close to home.
If these events have affected you in any way, the most important thing to do is talk about it. Take the opportunity to talk with your friends, family, professors, Chaplin Bruce, or even with psychologists who are available free of charge for EC students. These individuals genuinely care about us and only want to help us as we continue down the path of healing. a
It is also important during this time to take care of you. Make time in your busy schedule to relax and occupy your mind with something else. Sometimes, we can become assaulted with the images and words as we learn more about the tragedy. If this happens, it is important to limit the flow of these images and words that reach us because they can harm us rather than help our healing process.
As we continue the healing process here on campus, we can be at ease knowing that the college is doing it’s very best to protect us. Just this week, the Jyngle emergency notification service was tested here on campus, which produced good results. Knowing this service is up and running serves is somewhat of a reassurance, knowing that if an event such as the one at NIU occurs here at Eureka, word will spread quickly so others can get to safety.
Still more preventative measures can still be taken. As we all continue to live our lives I ask that we all be observant of others. If we pay attention to how others are reacting to the world around them, we might notice if something or someone might be troubling another person. Take the time to listen to these individuals so events like these won’t occur again.
Even if you have not lost someone close to you as a result of the attacks like I have, we all can learn from the lessons that they have left for us. It is at times like this that we turn to each other for support and love.
One of the last things one of the victims, Ryanne Mace said to us was, “Saying you love someone is not enough, it’s how you treat them that shows your true feelings.” It is with this in mind that I ask all of you to do your best and treat each other with love and kindness during this time of sadness and healing. One simple act of random kindness can go a long way.
It is important to remember the lives of those lost and I think Governor Rod R. Blagojevich said it best when he said, "In our own way, each of us can make the memory of those we lost a blessing, by capturing some of their promise, their decency, their innocence, their optimism and holding it next to our hearts. Teach a child. Make some music. Serve your country. Hold a hand of someone you love. Live in some small way, the life they would have continued to live and in so doing, their memory can in ways big and small repair our world as the heavens welcome them into the world to come.”
Remember, today, we are all Huskies.
By Eddie Zordani
A lot has happened in the world since the last issue of the Pegasus hit the EC news stands. For me one event in particular stood out among the rest. Regrettably, it was the shooting at Northern Illinois University on Valentine’s Day. Over the past two weeks we have learned more and more about the terrible events that day, but one thing that has not been spread around is how to cope with the loss. Even if you do not know anyone who attends NIU, the event still rings rather close to home.
If these events have affected you in any way, the most important thing to do is talk about it. Take the opportunity to talk with your friends, family, professors, Chaplin Bruce, or even with psychologists who are available free of charge for EC students. These individuals genuinely care about us and only want to help us as we continue down the path of healing. a
It is also important during this time to take care of you. Make time in your busy schedule to relax and occupy your mind with something else. Sometimes, we can become assaulted with the images and words as we learn more about the tragedy. If this happens, it is important to limit the flow of these images and words that reach us because they can harm us rather than help our healing process.
As we continue the healing process here on campus, we can be at ease knowing that the college is doing it’s very best to protect us. Just this week, the Jyngle emergency notification service was tested here on campus, which produced good results. Knowing this service is up and running serves is somewhat of a reassurance, knowing that if an event such as the one at NIU occurs here at Eureka, word will spread quickly so others can get to safety.
Still more preventative measures can still be taken. As we all continue to live our lives I ask that we all be observant of others. If we pay attention to how others are reacting to the world around them, we might notice if something or someone might be troubling another person. Take the time to listen to these individuals so events like these won’t occur again.
Even if you have not lost someone close to you as a result of the attacks like I have, we all can learn from the lessons that they have left for us. It is at times like this that we turn to each other for support and love.
One of the last things one of the victims, Ryanne Mace said to us was, “Saying you love someone is not enough, it’s how you treat them that shows your true feelings.” It is with this in mind that I ask all of you to do your best and treat each other with love and kindness during this time of sadness and healing. One simple act of random kindness can go a long way.
It is important to remember the lives of those lost and I think Governor Rod R. Blagojevich said it best when he said, "In our own way, each of us can make the memory of those we lost a blessing, by capturing some of their promise, their decency, their innocence, their optimism and holding it next to our hearts. Teach a child. Make some music. Serve your country. Hold a hand of someone you love. Live in some small way, the life they would have continued to live and in so doing, their memory can in ways big and small repair our world as the heavens welcome them into the world to come.”
Remember, today, we are all Huskies.