My best friend was killed in the VT shootings and I just wanted you to know that I understand what you and your university are going through and that, although I sound like everyone else, it will be OK.

When the shootings happened, I hated the fact that people told me that it would be OK. To me, nothing would ever be OK again. My best friend was gone and nothing in my life would ever be the same again.

Since then, time has eroded my pain and although I think about it every day, my life has gotten better. The first couple weeks are the hardest. You think about your friend constantly. You miss the people lost, and you miss how they help you through the smallest things. You miss their input, no matter how important the topic, and you miss the way they make you feel. You miss the way they changed you and your world. You miss your friend.

I went through something similar to what you are going through. Losing a friend is one of the hardest things anyone will ever have go through. Rely on the people who are still there to help. My friends helped me through the hardest time of my life and they helped me get back to normal, and for that, I love them.

It’s hard to go through your time in this world knowing that you will not see the people you loved again in this lifetime. But know this: The pain will pass. You will be able to view their lives as something great, something that changed the world and something that changed you for the better.

I cannot express my feelings to you and your university because there are no words to express what you have lost. I know that everyone there lost something that can never be replaced.

I say this: Do not try to replace the people who are gone; just know that they are always with you and they still love you and will look out for you. My friend is still here with me. She watches over me every day and no matter what, I know that she will always be there for me; she will always make sure I am OK.

Virginia Tech is here with you. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to ask. Thank you, Northern Illinois, for being strong, and just have faith that things will turn out OK.
Again, it will be OK. Remember, you always have somebody to talk to.

As a side note — talk about the people you lost. It makes me feel better to talk about
my friend, and it always reminds me that people can change your perspectives and
your life for the better without you even noticing.

My deepest condolences,
Alison St. Onge
Virginia Tech student

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