For Erik

Inspired by Erik Downes.  Please continue all your strong prayers for him, his family, and the Oglethorpe community.  Here's to his safe return!


I have tears welling up in my eyes.  I could barely sleep last night, because the only thing that I was thinking about was Erik and how blessed I have been to have such an incredible person like him as a friend.  I'm not only getting teary-eyed because of the fact that I'm incredibly worried and anxious that he makes it home okay, but also because I have never seen love as strong as this come from the Oglethorpe community.  Love in immense numbers has proven, especially in these past few days, completely indestructible.  Love in numbers can withhold Hell's furious fires.  These powerful waves of emotion, feeling, and sympathy shines ever so brightly like the aurorealis, splashing color on our black and white world.

I'm glad that I recently posted a blog about how much I love Oglethorpe, because these recent events have confirmed my undying love for my Alma Mater.  Each student and faculty member at this university may be on opposite sides of the spectrum from one another, but when something such as this incident calls for unity, prayer and hope, no one thinks twice about joining the circle.  Everyone - current students, alumni, former staff and faculty members, friends of the community - will always be there for one another, no matter what the situation.  Mind to mind and hand in hand, we Oglethorpians can accomplish continental plate-shifting feats.

I feel that any number of people associated with any group experiences this same type of love.  This love truly comes out in times of hardship, but when everything seems to be fine and dandy, it lives a little deeper in the soul.  It seems that only those members of that particular association understand what it's like to be in that affiliation.  And when that love comes out, it incredible to see how many people want in on this special bondage.  The combined love of a group of people has the power to part seas and bring rebellious people to their knees.

Erik, we know that you are out there, safe and sound.  Everyone at Oglethorpe loves you so much, and the gray-stoned buildings will turn more gray than a rainy day if you do not return with that smiling face of yours.  Everyone here is thinking and praying for you.  You're strong and I know you can make it through this.  We love you!