We don't yet know all the names of the 32 individuals who lost their lives yesterday in Virginia Tech dorms and classrooms, but already we feel the immense tragedy that has befallen those individuals and their loved ones, as well as the university, the community of Blacksburg and the entire nation.

As we each individually struggle to make sense of yesterday's killings, Richmond.com invites you to share your own condolences, sympathies or reflections. A compilation of entries will be sent to Virginia Tech President with our most sincere expressions of sorrow, and of hope for the future.

If you're looking for the opportunity to gather and honor those who lost their lives, please take note of the numerous vigils being held around Richmond.

-- Richmond.com

reader condolences

April 19 / Kim Bauer

Virginia

The roses nowhere bloom so white
As in Virginia;
The sunshine nowhere shines so bright
As in Virginia;
The birds sing nowhere quite so sweet
And nowhere hearts so lightly beat,
For Heaven and Earth both seem to meet
Down in Virginia

There is nowhere a land so fair
As in Virginia;
So full of song, so free of care,
As in Virginia;
And I believe that happy land
The Lord's prepared for mortal man
Is built exactly on the plan
Of old Virginia.

The days are never quite so long
As in Virginia;
Nor quite so filled with happy song
As in Virginia;
And when my time has come to die,
Just take me back and let me lie
Close to where the James goes rolling by
Down in Virginia

Keep the Virginia Tech Hokies in your heart.

-Kim Bauer, Mechanicsville, VA

April 19 / Tinh Phan

On behalf of Virginia Asian business communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, its Board of Directors, our Abingdon office in South side Virginia, our business members, friends, and world communities, extend our deepest condolence to the loss lives, their families, friends, the Virginia Tech students, families, friends; all communities of Virginia Tech, and the entire nation, about the tragedy occurred at the school.

At this time of sorrow felt by communities worldwide, we as an organization expresses our continuous support to pay tribute to each victim and his/her families. These are heroes of the country.

To the families of those passed going through the tragedy of the loss: We all pray for you to have the personal strength to get through this most hurtful loss, and we have the confidence that with the support of the nation and world you will get through this hurtful tragedy.

You are all in ours and the nation’s prayers and thoughts.

Joining you and the world in deep mourning.

Truly yours,

Tinh Phan, chairman, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce

April 17 / Kristin Hott

Greetings,

In light of the recent tragedy in Blacksburg, we invite any and all to share their feelings on our website pledge forum. While this incident did not happen here in Richmond, the effects of something this devastating are far reaching, and can be felt close to home. Our condolences go out to all who have friends and loved ones involved or in the Blacksburg community.

These situations that are cause for great questioning, sadness, anger, confusion, and grief are the very reason that Not With These Hands came to be.

It is partly in the sharing of grief, with an emphasis on healing, learning, and connectedness that our communities can overcome and work to change this culture of violence.

The work you all do each day is part of that connectedness.

May we all find comfort in the belief in and a commitment to non-violence.

Sincerely,

Kristin Hott, founding co-director, NotWithTheseHands.org

April 17 / Robert H. Johnson

Yesterday’s events at Virginia Tech have hit home to all of us. I know that every member of [the Virginia Funeral Directors Association] and the families we serve have been personally touched in some way through this great loss. I know I speak for all of us and on behalf of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association that our thoughts and prayers go out to our Virginia Tech family and friends now and through the coming weeks, months and years as we work to recover.

Robert H. Johnson, president, VFDA

April 16 / Ian Brand

I felt inclined to write about the horrible events. I can only cope by doing such activities. My name is Ian Brand, I am 17 from Long Island, NY. I may be far away from this but we are all close. I wrote this poem after coming home from school to here about this. I hope this provides some comfort as it did for me.

Virginia Tech Massacre

Why another one?
Just when we were content
The columbine of colleges
Is what there calling it

Theses words can’t express
The heartache this country feels
To come home to news of murdered youth
How will we deal?

10 dead, no 20, 30 now 32
One was bad enough
How are we to continue?

I wish we all could just wake up
From this frightening nightmare
Why did this have to happen?
The country is once again united in fear

Attacked once, then left
Came back attacked again
Like a bullet to the chest
When will the bloodshed end?

Classrooms are made for enriching
Not murdering and cutting down
How will they go back to teaching?
With part of there class not around

Virginia Tech, my heart goes out to you
The world is your shoulder to cry
As we’ve demonstrated from the past, we will pull through
Never forget those who’ve died

April 16th, last year was just another day
Now it’s my first true loss of freedom
I know longer feel safe
To shaken to continue
Don’t know what to say

Thanks and I'm so sorry for the loss, Ian Brand