It was one of those days where everything is put in painful perspective.
Friday was one of the most difficult days for myself and the reporters at the Wheel. Never in my 15 years here have we had to deal with such tragedy. First, the two Morrison children were killed in an accident in Saskatchewan and then the tragic death of MD of Foothills peace officer Rod Lazenby.
People assume being a journalist means you are jaded and unfeeling. I can assure you that is untrue — especially when you work at a community newspaper.
I have lived in this community for more than 20 years and the majority of our staff live in the area as well. Many of the people we write about each day are our friends and neighbours — that is what makes this job so rewarding. It also makes it especially challenging.
I covered the MD of Foothills for more than a decade and I know the councillors and staff extremely well. I cannot imagine what they were going through on Friday when they received word Rod was killed in the line of duty.
Nor can I fathom the Turner Valley community trying to deal with the deaths of two young children.
It was not an easy task speaking with MD staff and councillors or friends and family of the Morrisons after the tragedies as we tried to piece together what had occurred.
One would have to be quite callous not to get somewhat emotional when speaking with people who have been devastated by the loss of a friend or loved one.
Friday was a difficult day for us, but, in perspective, it was nothing compared to what others endured.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
