On the morning after, the onlookers crowded sidewalks, rode bikes and jammed into cars to take stock of Our Lady of the Lake University.

Like the one motorist who leaned a disposable camera out his window on a slow cruise by, the throng on the outside was trying to comprehend what a fire had taken from the 113-year-old West Side campus.

Techdigger and I have had the cause to be at OLLU several times over the last few years and even though we were always there on pressing business there was never a trip where we didn't stop and marvel at the beauty of the campus for at least a moment. Whether it be the lake itself or the quilt patterned tile in the main building, the stained glass or the recessed statues the campus always made you take the time to just stop and look for a moment. I know I watched with horror as the spire went down and I almost felt a personal loss as the fire was raging. I hope they rebuild and am glad there was no loss of life and I am thankful that business took me to the campus so that I was able to see what is lost now. Even without the main building the campus is still a architectural treasure in San Antonio. I know this certainly isn't a hard hitting political piece but I just wanted to put down a few thoughts about the fire.

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Posted in San Antonio