It seems my Thursdays are all kinda bad, aren't they?
For those of you who don't know, I am a newspaper reporter, and I cover a whole variety of stories from human interest pieces to school board meetings to tragic accidents and events. Today, my job centered around one of those tragic accident and events.
Yesterday, a six-year-old boy from Wilkes-Barre was swimming at a local amusement park, sank beneath the water, and drown. I didn't do the initial story about George Samuel Roberts III, but I picked up where we left off today. I also didn't talk to the family (that was left up to another reporter), but I was involved in the story enough to be affected by it.
George, as described by his parents, was "an amazing child... He always had a crooked smile on his face. He was always ready with a hug ready in his heart and arms. He truly wanted everybody to like him and be his friend."
It's stories like these that really get to me, and I leave work with a sense of sadness and emptiness. I've done these before. There was 17-year-old Britney Tongel, who took her life when the bullying of her peers became too much to handle. There was Charlie Gasperetti, a Philadelphia Phillies fan who died because of diabetes. And there's been others, and there will be more, and more after that.
I realize in the news business, we have to try our damnedest to separate ourselves from the story, to develop a sort of cynicism and cold look at the world, otherwise we're going to kill ourselves with the grief, but it's not always as easy as declaring it. I don't think I ever really want to lose that emotional part of my life. Or maybe I should. I don't really know.
What I do know, is that I think this will ultimately be the reason I get out of the news business when I do.
Here is the story: http://newsitem.com/news/georgie-was-an-amazing-child-parents-share-memories-of-boy-who-died-in-pool-accident-1.1172581#axzz1RW1NSSN5
In other unrelated news, this text message exchange made me smile.
Me: Text to say hello and to tell you that I think you're the best.
Her: Thanks, Justin. I really appreciate that. :) You're the best as well.
Me: You're the best though. We can't have two bests.
Her: Of course we can!!!
Me: But you're the best because of that nice smile!
Her: Haha. But you're the best because you know how to make it happen. :)
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In #VEDJ news, I accidentally ate meat last night when I ordered French Onion soup at Applebees. Apparently, they make this with beef broth. I don't consider this a fail though, because 1. I didn't know, so I didn't break my rules on purpose. and 2. It's all part of the experiment. Now I know to be more careful.
VEDJ: Yogurt Parfait
: a poptart
: four slices of pizza
: a salad (with fruits and almonds)
: Corn
: four bottles of water, three glasses of water
EEDJ: 15 minute walk to pick up my lunch
: 45 minute walk to pick up supper
I think I sorta failed today, since I walked to both my meals. It kinda canceled each other out. Tomorrow, I might try veggie wings. Wish me luck.
My friend Katy used to work for this group that curated those anti drunk driving campaigns. She'd spew out horrific tales as if it was nothing. She'd been hardened by her exposure.
ReplyDeleteI like how you consider your exercise a fail (you DID exercise, and intentionally!) and your V NOT a fail (though not intentionally, you DID consume animal). Hmmm.
First off, I hate thursdays too. But that's a different story. And I think that even the people that say they feel nothing, do. It's human condition. And its so hard to turn that emotional aspect off, unless you're really good at compartmentalizing. I don't listen to the news for that very reason. I just can't deal with always being upset.
ReplyDelete