As a non-stop world remained moving, a small part of the globe stopped.

Traffic lights still went from red to green and car wheels kept rotating.

But one portion of the corner at Lucinda Avenue and Normal Road did not move.

At midnight Friday a group of over 500 stood shocked, stood strong, stood together.

As the crowd continued to grow, a snow mound became a pulpit. And from that platform the words, “We do gather in the dark, on a dark day, in Northern Illinois history,” were spoken.

But out of the darkness the glimmering of small candles provided light to those approaching.

As the sermon went out in all directions, the crowd continued to gather. From the North and South, East and West, the vigil expanded.

Soon the small corner could not hold the crowd. Those approaching found spots on snow banks, patches of ice, and in the street to join the vigil.

“It was just the amount of people that showed up,” said freshman nursing major Matt Biava. “That many people who care, who gave up their night for this, that’s what hit me.”

In a day where students searched for meaning, the vigil seemed to provide a moment of clarity. It gave these individuals a way to begin to come to terms.

“It’s just been a range of emotions. It’s been from anger and rage, to confusion, to disbelief most of all,” said sophomore business major Sheffy Abraham. “All day, I didn’t know how to cope with it – until we all came together here.”

As the preaching continued, friends began to turn to each other. Tears were shed, embraces were shared, and many still expressed a face of disbelief.

And then, within a moment, a group of individuals suddenly became more – those at the vigil became a community. They became a community which shared an understanding of the meaning of tragedy.

The vigil became a way for this congregation to come together and begin the process of healing.

“It’s just a way to start and realize with what happened,” said sophomore family and consumer science major Amanda Cox. “It’s a time to try to work through this together.”

While the rest of the world watches the aftermath through the media as individuals, those in DeKalb have come together.

That world continues to spin. The street lights still continue to change colors and cars continue down the road.

But those in DeKalb pause and reflect.

Those at NIU stand shocked, stand strong, stand together.