Every little thing

So after April 16th I knew I wanted to do something so that I could remember but also so that I could heal. On the 17th, my dad got the VT ribbon tattooed on his arm. I really like it, but I kept having doubts. Anything that permanent shouldn't come with that many doubts. I didn't want to be asked awkward questions or draw unnecessary attention for the rest of my life. Instead I put off the tattoo idea. Until September 6th. Dave Matthews and friends came for the Concert for Virginia Tech. Dave and his band played a 2 hour set that was amazing - he definitely lived up to all the hype. We'd been back in school for a few weeks and things were definitely weird. In fact, things stayed weird for that entire semester. But there was a moment, one perfect moment, where nothing mattered. The band began playing the Bob Marley song Three Little Birds and, of course, Lane Stadium sang along to the "don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing is going to be all right" part. The band stopped playing and stepped back but the students continued to sing. It was the single most poignant and unifying moment of being back in school after the 16th and the odd summer that followed. I will never forget that moment as long as I live.


That's how I decided what my tattoo would be. Three little birds. I can't wait.