I still remember today, 10 years ago. It was bonfire season....we had gone out that night and had been with a few of the guys going out to stack that evening. We had gone home and gone to bed and around 3 am my roommate and I got a phone call that bonfire had fallen -- and then subsequent calls from our family making sure we were safe, especially since KJ was supposed to be out there that night hanging out with her fish camp roasting marshmellows and hanging out.
I remember sitting on the couch in our PJs watching the news in horror, thinking "why did this have to happen?" and wondering who all was injured or killed and did we know them? Were they that person who sat next to us in class or were we in fish camp together, or had we met at a party? You just didn't know. The next few days there was lots of crying - going to class but the instructors cancelling due to only half the people showing up and those that did either cried or had been crying a lot and learning that day just wasn't going to happen.
I remember hearing that one of the guys we had been out with that night had been killed....and one of KJ's freshman from fish camp also...it was devestating. Although we might not have known all of them very well, they were FAMILY and we all felt like we lost one of our brothers and sisters.
I remember the night that bonfire was supposed to happen -- and the ceremony that we did instead of bonfire....I remember my parents coming in because they were so worried about my sister and I. We met up with some of my guy friends and their parents and we all went together. It was one of the saddest moments I had had in my life, and to see all those that were there, Aggies and Longhorns together, with candles all walking towards the sight, and remembering those who had lost their lives. It was an amazing night, I just wish we had all been there to celebrate, not mourn.
Most people didn't understand bonfire - they just thought it was a bunch of people who got together and were crass and cut down logs and had a good time partying. But it was SO much more than that. Being on campus "before" and "after" you could see such a difference. As a freshman, you were bonded by bonfire -- the dorms all got up together and went out to cut....we had parties with other dorms to celebrate bonfire, we all BONDED together and knew everyone. It was one of the coolest things I was involved in on campus - and I wasn't even all that involved. It was a great place to go hang out and watch, to meet your friends and take pictures, and it was so great to be a part of elephant walk and end up out at stack. That was how I came to know so many people in my dorm - from all floors, from all walks of life....we were all so different but that was truly one thing we had in common.
After bonfire, it was just not the same. The freshman didn't have the bonding like we did, they didn't have that common bond and didn't all know each other like we did. Campus changed....and I attribute most of that to not having bonfire anymore. I understand why -- it was so dangerous -- I could tell stories that would scare the heck out of you that I heard 1st, 2nd and 3rd hand about stuff that happened out there and I know that it was so risky.....but it was amazing.
Here is to all those who lost their lives that day....we remember you....and we are praying for your family as they remember and celebrate your life...
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