Well, we made it onto CNN this morning, but not for anything good.

Some of you may have heard that shortly after 8 am today the Main Building at St. Edwards was evacuated (where I happened to have just arrived for class, actually on time for once) due to a vague bomb threat. Soon thereafter, the rest of campus was evacuated and locked down temporarily, while everyone was corralled to the soccer fields, away from buildings, and where we could all be in the open. Classes were cancelled for the whole day for campus to be searched and secured. I'm sure it was nothing, and I just saw it as an opportunity to go home at 9:30 on a day I normally don't get home until almost 1.

I've written before about how much I love my counseling professor (in fact, more than once), but today she just really drove it home. This afternoon she sent out this email to all of her students:

Hi, gang ..

It occurred to me, as I was standing outside near the soccer field this
morning, that some of you might prefer not to be on campus today or
tonight. There are lots of reasons for feeling this way, but the one that
comes to mind right away is simply not feeling safe. After the shooting
at Virginia Tech yesterday and the bomb threat this morning, some of you
may be feeling that things seem a bit out of control.

If that's the case for you and you'd rather spend the night somewhere else
tonight, please know that you're invited to my house. I have some extra
mattresses and lots of floor space. Bring your favorite DVD and pillow
and come on out. We'll pop some popcorn and watch movies, very informal.
I'll include directions at the end of this email. Since I have a supper
engagement, I'll leave a house key under the back doormat. Make yourself
at home. I'll be home around 7:30. Make yourself at home if you get
there before I get back.

I understand that most of you may be doing fine. But I wanted you to have
an option if you're feeling unsafe. Let me know if you think you'll be
coming out.

Hang in there,

Helen J.

She then included very specific directions to her house.

God! How sweet is she? I almost want to go just to go hang out with her.