Sunday, April 22, 2007

In Memory...


Reema Samaha was a beautiful young woman who loved dancing, acting and hanging out with family and friends. She was a shining spirit who brought smiles to every person she encountered. Reema was among those killed at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Many have said that she was just at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Her mother, Mona, is a coworker of mine who is living the most difficult time of her life. The day of the tragedy, not unlike many other teachers at my school that have children attending VT, she tried feverishly to contact her daughter. After all other teachers received calls from their children, Mona still waited. Her sense told her she needed to leave school and head down to Blacksburg to check on Reema. She left Monday afternoon with her husband. Her older siblings; brother Omar and sister Randa soon followed. They searched for her all day. It was late Monday night when they were given the most devastating news, Reema was one of those killed.

There are no words that seem adequate enough to ease the pain and sorrow Reema's family is feeling right now, but there are numerous tributes to her memory that have developed to show love through her passing. Mona's 5th grade French students have come together to tribute her and help cope with this tragedy. They worked together to build a memory garden, write poetry, draw pictures and send condolences.

Reema's loss came too soon for so many of her friends and family as well as extended relations to her family. Her memory will remain.
Her funeral is scheduled for Monday, April 23, 2007 at:
Holy Transfiguration Church
8501 Lewinsville Road
McLean, VA 22102
Written condolences are being accepted at my school. If you would like to send the family your sympathies, please send to the following address and we will make sure to deliver them to Reema's family.
The Samaha Family
c/o Herndon Elementary School
630 Dranesville Road
Herndon, VA 20170

2 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for posting this. I think I heard her Dad on CNN and it was just heart breaking...the story of them driving to VT. Yikes. The families of all those hurt or killed have been in my prayers and on my mind.

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  2. Although I am in Canada, I can still feel the pain that is being felt in VA. My sincere sympathies go out to all the families and friends that have lost dear ones in this mindless tragedy.

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