Enjoying life, it could all be taken in an instance
22 years of covering tragedies put things into perspective.
Working as a tv news reporter and anchor has really put life into perspective.
I have covered hundreds of stories where people were here one minute and gone the next and had no idea the end was near.
My first experience in covering tragedy came during my first week on the job in Evansville, Indiana.
I was working for the CBS affiliate (WEVV-TV) in Evansville when I was sent to cover a story in Jasper, Indiana about a murder-suicide.
This was the first crime story I covered in my life, and I had no idea what to expect.
I was one of the first journalists on the scene and was working as a photographer (camera-man) that day.
While I was getting video of the house where the crime happened the coroner brought out the bodies of children who had been shot and killed by their dad while they slept.
The dad killed himself after killing his children.
I did not process what I had witnessed until I got home that evening.
I could not sleep for days after witnessing the covered bodies of three innocent children being carried out of a house.
How could anyone do this? It was horrible.
This was my first of many encounters with tragedy.
I have walked up to many doors before and asked relatives who have lost loved ones if they want to talk about their loved ones.
Some say no, most actually say yes.
My goal when interviewing people who just lost loved ones is to help memorialize those who have died and to help people through the grieving process.
If a family wants me to leave and not talk, that is completely understandable.
I don’t know what I would do if one of my loved ones died and a reporter came to the door. I would probably slam the door in their face and use some choice words. But, I am not sure what I would do.
I will always remember a story while working at WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.
It was that story that solidified my belief to enjoy life because it literally can be taken when you least expect it.
It may seem odd to non-journalists, but while covering a tragedy I am in the zone, focused on getting the information I need to tell the story.
I realize how tragic a situation is, but being a journalist I must remain focused on getting the information to best tell a story while I am on the job.
The emotions come out when I go home when the long day is over when I look at my children sleeping and realize what I had just covered. Sometimes tearing up myself.
When it comes to death, I would say I got used to it at an early age.
My sister Joan died in a car accident when I was two and a half.
I have also had to grieve the loss of my Dad, my brother Joey and my best friend Sean.
Live life to the fullest, because it can be taken in an instant.
It’s a cliche I know, but 100 percent true.