Carolina Blues

I know this post is a downer, but I have to get this off my chest.

My mind keeps thinking about the UNC student body president who was murdered earlier this week. Maybe it is my OCD taking over. It isn't like I knew her or anyone who knew her. Maybe it is because my brother is at UNC so it hits closer to home? Or because I have so many friends who went to UNC? Or because she was so young, vibrant, and had so much going for her? Or maybe because as a mother, I can't imagine getting that kind of news? I hope it is some small comfort to her parent's to know how many lives she touched. We should all be so fortunate.

People often forget that college is a microcosm of society. During my freshman year, my RA was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend. One night during exam week, he showed up in the dorm with a knife. So security's solution was to pull the fire alarm so everyone had to evacuate the building. (Not sure about the logic of that, but whatever.) The next semister my new RA was the sister of a student who disappeared in San Francisco. She went there one summer and was never heard from again.

On a bright note . . . it is nice to be reminded about the good, caring people in the world. This morning when I was walking to my car for an appt, a co-worker (who is a complete stranger) stopped to ask me if I wanted a ride. She didn't want me to walk in the rain. I was touched. It is so good to be reminded of the nice people in the world on days like these.