As I was awoken by a phone call from a friend to turn on the television I was in disbelief as to what had happened.

You always say that this happens to everybody else and here it has happened in our own back yard.

I send my heart and blessings for all those who have, will, and are suffering from this tragedy.

I am unable to send financial help so my blessings to the ones involved will help to heal the anger I feel inside for the ones who think so little of human life and could even think of doing such a terrible thing to innocent people.

I feel the strong urge to give blood and propable will even though I am petrified of needles and blood. I can put that fear aside in hopes that maybe my blood will make the difference between life and death.

This tragedy has re-reminded me of how precious life is and to live each day as if it were your last and don't put off telling someone something positive or praising a good deed or just saying I love you that we may so easily forget to say.

The air seemed very strange around our house even though we are in Illinois. It seemed that even the birds weren't singing. The quiet was almost eerie.