Jarrett Lane remembered for the way he lived his life, ten years after Virginia Tech tragedy

Jarrett Lane was a 22-year-old Virginia Tech senior who was almost ready to graduate with an engineering degree.

His mother, Tracey Lane, says it's hard to believe that 10 years have passed since his death, but she also wants people to know that she and her family are doing well.

Tracey still lives in the home where Jarrett and his sisters grew up. She treasures the photo album that Jarrett's friends gave her after his death.

"Lot of good memories memories always help you on the hard days," Tracey said.

The passage of time has helped her focus on her favorite memories, like the time Jarrett and a friend painted themselves for a Virginia Tech football game.

"Jarrett actually called me that day and he was laughing hysterically. And I said, 'what is going on?' He said, 'well we're going to a football game.' And I said, 'I figured that.' He said, 'Phil's trying to paint me' and he said 'it's sliding off my head mom.' He couldn't get the paint to stay on his head because he had shaved his head bald and it was so slick," Tracey said.

In the days after Jarrett's death, Tracey says her faith helped her heal. So has the support of her church community, and her neighbors in Narrows and Giles County, who continue to let her know that they remember her son.

"We still appreciate how much the community reached out to us, and we just want them to know that we are moving forward, we are all in a good place now," Tracey said.

She doesn't have to travel far to find reminders of her son: the duck pond where he played as a child, the bridge just outside town that bears his name, Narrows High School where scholarship created by Jarrett's friends helps a graduating senior.

She's happy to share the lessons she's learned from Jarrett. Live life to the fullest.

"And don't take life for granted," she told us. "If you have a loved one, tell 'em that you love 'em. Don't wait until tomorrow, because we're not always given tomorrow."

Tracey Lane continues to count her blessings. Her two daughters are happily married and she has four grandchildren who often remind her of Jarrett.