In Rememberance....

10 years ago today was a horrible day for Texas A&M University. Our beloved BONFIRE was changed forever and 12 wonderful people lost their lives helping build that wonderful tradition. I loved being at A&M and being part of the traditions, especially this one. I did not know anyone who died on stack that night and it didn't matter that I didn't know them. They were fellow Aggies. Only Aggies understand that comradery that comes with being an Aggie. I was on the phone with my now husband (a Longhorn to the core!) and started hearing all the sirens. My first thought was an apartment fire or wreck. NEVER would I have thought that bonfire had fallen. But then my phone started ringing and neighbors were knocking on my door. Word spread quickly and by morning there was a huge vigil at stack. I remember sitting on the ground with my friends and we were just in shock that it happened.

I was there the night before. Walking around the huge stack, talking with the guys building it, absorbing all that excitement that surrounded the campus this time of year. Loving every minute of it.

I can honestly sit here and tell you that I still miss that place, Aggieland! I miss the smell, the sounds, the campus, the huge buildings, the restuarants, the people, The Chicken ;). I miss it all.

That was the place I was when my dad died. He was so proud to have an Aggie daughter and a Longhorn son! It brought lots of fun to our house this time of year!

I love the spirit of Aggieland, and I can only hope and pray for the families that lost their loved ones that day. 10 years to some of us, seems like a long time, and we have all moved on. But those familes' wounds are re-opened every year on this day. I hope that they too have been able to get beyond this tragedy.

None of us will ever forget.....