As the thousands drifted away from the candlelight vigil on the Virginia Tech drillfield Tuesday evening, a song rose from a circle of two dozen lights.
"O mothers, let’s go down. Come on down, don't you wanna go down? O mothers, let’s go down. Down in the river to pray..."
A woman in the circle, a generation older than the young men and women, said she had come up from western North Carolina to be with her son, a resident adviser in a dorm, an R.A. just like the first young man killed on Monday. She reached over to give him a hug as they sang on.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..."
The group grew to 30, singing from the heart, tears on many cheeks. They all knew the same songs, the same harmonies.
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."
Was this an organized group, a church choir? No, she said, "just Christians."
"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on..."
We wanted to know, what was her son's story? Her name? And how had a son's mother gotten through these days?
"I don't want to be interviewed," she said gently. "This is worship. This is giving thanks."
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As officials, students and families struggle to come to terms with the tragedy at Virginia Tech, a team of MSNBC.com reporters and editors and NBC News producers and correspondents is on the scene.
A forlorn formality
I have chills reading this. Thank God many of you are praising His name. Let peace be with you. Our prayers are with you all as our hearts mourn this tragedy.
Melissa, Tulsa Oklahoma (Sent Apr 17, 2007 11:25:39 PM)
I was there at the vigil and honestly the singing was the most touching thing of all. The fact that all of these people could come together for this was amazing. The song amazing grace gets me everytime but this was different it just felt so surreal to be there. I think even more than the singing was the chanting of the "Lets go!" "Hokies!" Everyone chanted in support for Virginia Tech, it was very touching.
Krystal, Salem Virginia (Sent Apr 18, 2007 12:50:52 AM)
It is in moments like these that our souls shine.
It is in moments like these that our humanity light like a beacon in the darkest of the dark nights.
Do not condemn the man who killed, pray for his soul, for he was lost and in one moment of weakness, the only light that shone on his lonely life perished and the devil snatched his soul.
Roland (Sent Apr 18, 2007 12:58:16 AM)
I was at work Monday morning in Ohio, when the news broke about Virginia Tech. The stress that I had been feeling up to that point trying to get things done, was quickly replaced with sadness and sorrow. By the end of the day, I had a broken heart. May God Bless everybody at Virginia Tech. Today, just like you, my heart aches.
Pete Stamatis, Kent, Ohio. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 1:05:16 AM)
I wish I were there and could hug and hold each and every member of that campus and each and every family member and friend who has lost someone in this unspeakable tragedy. I am not a Hokie, but I am your Longhorn friend. God bless all of you.
Karen, Austin, Tx (Sent Apr 18, 2007 1:26:01 AM)
May God give each and every one of you comfort and strength during this time. My family and I will keep you in our prayers, continuously, while your broken hearts heal. The nation mourns with you, in every small town and big city, and the number of prayers floating around up there will surely help you bear this tragedy.
Anita Bohannon (Sent Apr 18, 2007 1:36:13 AM)
My prayers are with all who are hurting at this very tragic moment in time. I have two young boys and part of me worries daily when my oldest leaves for school. This is a very sad time in our country and something needs to be done or I fear we will see these things occur more often.I dont know what in a man tells him its ok to murder others while you are murdering yourself. Maybe what this whole country of ours needs is a song in the night, a song from God.
May God bless all of you and May God be with the families who have lost those precious loved ones.
Chuck Tate, Big Lake, Alaska (Sent Apr 18, 2007 1:43:57 AM)
It's good to see christians coming together no matter what religion, what color, worshipping the same GOD. All praises be to the King of King and the Lord our GOD he is wonderful.
L. Robinson, Seoul, South Korea (Sent Apr 18, 2007 1:56:32 AM)
I Thank GOD for such beautiful Christian's like this woman. Who came with a healing spirit from GOD, for these students and families. May GOD Bless Her and the grieving. Let the healing begin in each heart as they remember their "Song in The Night".
Rosy, Tulsa OK (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:08:17 AM)
I accepted God into my life 1 year ago. Then in June I was baptised.. I'm a very strong beliver now in God and that he is with us all the time..Some time we question him when things like this tragic has happened.
He only knows why, So I want all victim's , heros, survvivors(sp), the town just every one to know That I am praying for you all and that You find relieve in God.. He will get you through all this may take time timebut he is with you. I wish I could do more. Just know I'm offering up my prayers constatanly (I attend ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH)..but it
don't matter GOD Hears all prayers from all.
So may GOD wrap his love around you in the days and hours and months to come. May you remember the
good, loving caring and all the memories of your love one. GOD BLESS YOU>.
Rhonda from Crestview Florida
Rhonda Bielefeldt (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:24:20 AM)
What people are beginning to realize and will continue to learn in the difficult days to follow, is the incredible strength and resolve of the VA Tech family. My heart and prayers go out to the Hokie nation.
Mark, Greensboro, NC (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:28:44 AM)
It seems that I heard someone who has read his writings mention something about sexual abuse....could this be what happened to this young man?
J-Ann Smith (Sent Apr 18, 2007 6:07:09 AM)
It's amazing, as well as a miracle that so many people have gathered with one heart. God's word, in Romans 8:26 says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." My prayer is that you will be comforted, that you will be loved, and simply love on those who need your love. God Bless.
Shallan, Salem, Mass. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 7:09:42 AM)
With all that is happening with satanists nowadays, I wonder whether this massacre has something do with it. We all know that the devil is going through the world like a roaring lion, seeking who he can destroy. It is important that we take these things into consideration. No normal human being, created by our Lord God, can do such a thing. I regret this from the bottom of my heart and my prayers are with the parents, students of Virginia Tech and the government of the US. Peace be with you all!!
Cornelly Codrington, Paramariob, Suriname (Sent Apr 18, 2007 7:17:29 AM)
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
Maya Angelou
Dick, Stratham, NH (Sent Apr 18, 2007 8:31:14 AM)
I was sickened by this tragedy, but I am equally impressed by the Hokie Family. Those who have fallen, those who ran to help those who were hurt, those who lost someone they knew, or simply those who lost some innocence on that day...you have represented your campus proudly. In fact, you are a beacon of light for the nation to follow. Our prayers will always be with you!!
Joel, Appleton, WI (Sent Apr 18, 2007 8:32:16 AM)
Know that as we watched the candles grow in number last evening you appeared to became one; we need to light our candles to join yours we need to become one, one nation, a nation who cares for each other as we do today and put God back where he belongs.
Charlotte Perregaux (Sent Apr 18, 2007 9:14:37 AM)
Two of the most difficult songs to hear. Amazing Grace on the Scottish Bagpipes and TAPS done on a bugle. These two songs bring me to tears every time because in my mind they signal the loss of a person. I lost my father this past January and honestly did not break down during the funeral until the Army Honor Guard played Taps and I was presented the flag. TAPS has been played once again for a fallen Cadet...
This week the pipes will be wailing as they send those we have lost to their home. All innocent, several gave their lives to try to save others...
M. Putvin (Sent Apr 18, 2007 9:26:27 AM)
My prayers are also with the young man's family. They too, most likely out of no fault of their own, have lost a loved one and are grieving. We should take note from the Amish families in similar circumstances, and reach out to Cho Seung Hui's family. This truly would be Christian spirit.
Joann (Sent Apr 18, 2007 9:30:32 AM)
Such a beautiful, inspiring post! I missed seeing the Convocation last night, but what I saw of it on the news this morning was extremly moving. God was truly present at the assembly. And it's good to see how Virginia Tech has been holding together as a "family" to comfort and support each of its members at this time of deep grief and I hope and pray that the healing will soon begin.
Olivia (Sent Apr 18, 2007 10:05:51 AM)
Lets all pray that God looks upon our country as he once did........one nation under God. God is the same but our nation is not.
God Bless all those who have lost loved ones, and those who are injured and their families.......May all those who attend Virginia Tech find peace, continue their education and become the fine young men and women that we need to lead our nation.
Regenia, Kingsport, TN. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 11:16:10 AM)
My daughter may be a (Terp)Univ. of Md. but for the past 3 days we have been nothing but Hokies. The way your university has held it's head up and showed such courage is somthing that will make every AMERICAN proud. Our prayers are with you .
Randy Snyder , Laurel , Md (Sent Apr 18, 2007 11:33:01 AM)
God Bless all that have had to endure the loss of their family members or friends. Va.Tech has shown what the meaning of United is..My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone in their healing. Keep prayer and Faith...Hokies
Jolenna Hampton,Va. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 12:18:05 PM)
Such a tragic loss, all of us are mourning with you. May God bless all of you and give you peace in this time of loss and sorrow. My heart and my prayers go out to you.
js,buffalo, ny (Sent Apr 18, 2007 12:20:11 PM)
In bad times such as this, I always think of the saying"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it". I know that is hard to believe right now,but millions of people are praying for you.We are all VT supporters today.
Connie , Helena,Ar. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 12:26:03 PM)
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