"I would say the mainstream media is episodic and cyclic," Peter said.
He said that the media contacts them whenever a story runs on discussions with the governor or other decisions are made about the shootings.
"Unless there is something like that, the mainstream media tends to come back to us," Peter said. "The mainstream media tends to want to remember Mary and the other fallen Hokies only when it's driven by something else, and I think that the Tech commemoration has been appropriate on remembering these human beings and taking away the things that we can do to remember them and move on."
The Cloyds have had a similar experience, adding that there was an intrusive nature of the media at certain times.
"There have been some things that have been a little intrusive, I don't know how many times the phone has rang in the last two weeks in anticipation of April 16," Bryan said. "We've been contacted by a dozen different media people for the past two days. We haven't really seen that since back in the summer around certain events. By and large the media have been pretty good to work with, many have done stories and reports about the service project and have been supportive."
For Randa, the media has become less overwhelming than it was in the past.
"With media, at first yes, they were pretty intrusive, they were just finding any way to get to us," she said. "There were pictures of Reema's room, while we were at Tech even, because our neighbors were accidentally letting them in. But most of them are really respectful. They tend to get pushy. With my family it's different because we usually do want to speak our minds but other families don't."
One thing that Bryan has done to better remember his daughter was to set up a Facebook page so that he could see some of her photographs. He said that friends of Austin uploaded pictures to the Facebook group from the Appalachia Service Project so that he and his family could see them.
During the past year, the Reads gave birth to a baby boy, who they named Kevin Mark, because Mark was the closest thing to Mary's name they could think of for a boy.
After a stressful year, Randa, who is a nursing student at UVa, said that her professors and school have been very understanding.
"Yes, most of my teachers are pretty responsive. They all understand when I have to go home for stuff," she said.
Randa has been going home from school for different services and events because of April 16 very often.
"Last semester, I went home almost every weekend," she said. "Pretty much every weekend there was something going on for Reema or other Virginia Tech families or gun safety. Usually when I have to go home it's something involving Virginia Tech or my sister. It really still hasn't calmed much."
Keeping so busy with the different causes she is involved with and responding to support, Randa feels as though she sometimes loses perception of time.
"My time perception is off now. It has picked up more now because April 16 (is near), it feels like that time again, because I'm getting all those messages from people, it's bringing me back to that time again. Its like we moved forward, but then we hit a rewind button," she said.
While Randa is very appreciative of the support, there are times when things become overbearing.
"It's hard to tell because it's kind of unpredictable; it doesn't feel like things are being rehashed, depending on what people say and the way they've worded, it makes you feel different things," she said. "After a while, I really welcome the messages, but it wears on your emotions because you want to forget it, but I always welcome other people's prayers and messages."
On April 16, the Reads will be spending their day in Blacksburg in remembrance with the Tech community.
"My wife and I are planning to spend (April 16) with you all in Blacksburg, we were invited to be on the Steering Committee (headed by Provost Mark McNamee) in Blackburg, that's where we need to be," Peter said.
Randa will also be in Blacksburg with her family for the candlelight vigil, the ProtestEasyGuns lie-in and a dance performance in honor of Reema.
Continue Reading: « Previous12
Leave a comment 2 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
This is a well written article. Needless to say, continued prayers and support for the families are needed. It was somewhat distressing that a letter sent to the Roanoke Times from a relative of one of the families of the victims seemed to only cause more anguish. The writer called the monetary sums provided "paltry" and then went on to say no money was needed but rather "all we need is an apology." I have to assume that even though the writer claimed he was speaking for all the families, in reality he may have been venting as a result of continued grief without thinking about the implications. Again, we offer our heartfelt support to the the families affected.
Reply to this Top
Professor Cloyd and his wife are two of the kindest, most thoughtful people in Blacksburg. If everyone were more like them, the world would not have any problems.
Reply to this Top