So last Friday my photographer and I were sent up to Hesston. The story--an early morning fire that destroyed a family's house. They  narrowly escaped. We were out there covering it when later in the day the family pulled up to see for the first time what was left of everything they owned. Their pastor was with them--he came over to us and asked that we give the family some space because they were very emotional.

Now--unfortunately--when we have to cover fires or murders or tragic accidents-- it is a reporter's job to try to talk to family members on camera about their loss. Let me tell you it is a very difficult thing to do and we often get blasted for doing so. When I first started in the business I had a really hard time with it--but throughout my years as a reporter  I've realized a very important thing. Many times these family members WANT to talk. They want people to know more about their loved one who has died--or let people know how a fire has affected them. So if we DO NOT ask families if they would like to talk they would never get that chance. Some people feel that reporters are heartless when we do this, but please know that  while there are some reporters who are just out for a story--whenever I cover a story like this it is with the utmost respect and the same goes for my fellow co-workers.

That is why, even though I hate making that call or knocking on that door, I always tell the family I understand if  they don't want to talk to me right now.  However, many times, families do want to talk and I at least want to give them the option of doing so.  Many times, the viewers at home get a much better idea of who the person actually was who died instead of just how they died.

As far as the fire story on Friday--what I did was --after a couple of minutes had passed, I went back up to the pastor and asked if the family would like to say anything. He asked them. They said no and I left them alone.