News Journalists Become the Story in My Hometown

You've watched the news and heard the reports of the horrible shootings that took place in Virginia yesterday morning. This story hit me very hard, because I spent eighteen years of my life in the quiet town of Roanoke.

Things like this just don't happen in Roanoke, VA.  It shouldn't happen anywhere, but Roanoke would be the last place I would think something horrifying like this would take place.  Yesterday morning I read the breaking news, 'Two Virginia Journalists Shot Dead on LIVE TV'.  My heart raised, I held my breath, and clicked on the link.

My fear became a reality, and it was worse than I thought.  Alison Parker and Adam Ward worked for WDBJ-7.  WDBJ was always on in my home.  It's slogan is 'Your Hometown Station', which is 100% accurate.  News anchors who reported the news on WDBJ hardly moved to a different market, and I was even friends with the afternoon Meteorologist's kids.  WDBJ was part of my Grandparents schedule and routine.  The Andy Griffith Show was on at five, followed by the news at six.

Tragedies like this puts us in a loss for words, but it certainly gave me a new perspective when it happened in my own backyard.  Roanoke is a small town, with a tight community. It was weird seeing my town making national news and headline every major news website.  I also think about the family of Melissa Ott.  Melissa is from Gibbstown, and was working in the control room at WDBJ.  Adam Ward was her fiance.  Yesterday was her last day on the job, she and Adam were going to move to Charlotte.

I wanted to turn on the mic and tell you what was happening yesterday, but I didn't really know what to say.  Sure, I can report what's happening, but even then I didn't know where to begin. I took all day yesterday to process everything.  I posted updates on social media, and kept the news on.  Finally, the same Meteorologist that I grew up watching, who was also my Boy Scout Leader, posted the right words to say:

There were no words to say, and that's OK.  I know one thing is for sure, I'm never going to take anything for granted anymore.  Like yourself, I can get caught up with work and the day to day routines.  But I must remember to make time for my family and friends.  To live my life to the absolute fullest.  Because we all know, life can end before you blink.  Alison Parker and Adam Ward weren't expected to die when they reported for their jobs.  They were just covering the opening of a water park in Franklin County, VA.

Once again, my prayers go all out to the family and friends of Alison Parker and Adam Ward, as well as the entire staff at WDBJ-7.