When I got home late last night I watched the 11:00 p.m. news.  I was shocked to see the story of another university shooting, this time at Northern Illinois.  I thought back to where I was at 4:00 p.m.; just getting out of a class myself, lingering to talk to the professor, then hurrying away to my job.  During that time five or more people were dying and many others were injured.  All were terrified. 

And though this is all horrific..again…what struck me most last night was the short story at the top of the news, then on to the next story, politics, weather, sports.  I’m torn between feeling outrage that it wasn’t a bigger story, people were dying here, and thoughts that maybe there wasn’t much news yet as only a few hours had passed, to wondering if this was a different news tactic,  maybe correct, not to sensationalize the story or to give the gunman too much press.

But this morning, though I missed the first 30 minutes of the national news shows, I was saddened not to see any more information.  I guess it would have appeared at the top of the show, but still.  I am wondering now if we are so used to seeing violence of this type that it is no longer news worthy?  Is it so common that we can’t let ourselves care anymore?  That we can’t take a minute and listen and feel some empathy?  Are we hardening ourselves against the truth; that it could happen here?  Or anywhere?  Must we protect ourselves this way? 

This morning I take a break from my web assignment and think about those students there.  They say it was a grad student.  Maybe we’ll learn more as the investigation continues.  Maybe we’ll hear information that will make us feel more secure, make us feel it is a problem that could only happen “over there.” 

But I think not.  This is not a problem that will only happen over there.  This is more evidence that every day must be lived by every person as if tomorrow isn’t going to come.  Because maybe it won’t.  One student asked that we all pray for them.  I think we need to pray for all of us.  And be grateful for today.