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It was very comforting to know of the love and concern coming in from all areas of the world. Their love touched my heart.

Even though the world and the news goes globally, I have found that we are all the same, caring about people and I realize that the world has gotten smaller and we can care about our fellow man.

I’ve seen people that have nothing be willing to give their last four dollars to donate to those who have lost so much since Oct. 1st. I see people who may have nothing but a creative talent use those talents to either make money to donate or help lift people up.

UCC Strong is more than a tag line. It does describe our response to this horrible tragedy.

In the midst of fielding calls I was in and out of a few stores and noticed how clerks and customers were treating each other with extra patience, care, and kindness. I also remember the beauty of watching as people cared for friends and strangers.

I cried for the families who were affected… I felt their sorrow. I felt their pain.

My main concern after a while was how it was affecting my daughter as I knew how compassionate she was. I cried with her, listened to her. Her main grief was that she wasn’t there that day at that time. The community helped her with all the outpour of signs and shirts.

It was such a huge relief to see the faces of my campus friends.

The community and the responses I see on a daily basis, those of generosity and kindness that have brought us all closer together keep me hopeful.

The helplessness so many had to be feeling radiated through me as well. We are not safe anymore even in a community college where people come to learn life skills and job training.

It hit real close to home. My mom just retired from UCC last December. My brother and I used to play on school grounds when my mom would go to school out there.