Behind the Headlines

There are many stories we hear that spark the imagination, but few that truly tug at the heart.

I covered one of those rare stories in today’s Evening News. It’s about a 2-year-old boy who has an inoperable brain tumor and has been given 12 months to live.

I spoke with his mother last week about how the family is coping and the spirits of the little boy. I was surprised on both accounts.

She speaks about her son’s condition with a strength that’s greater than many others could muster. The toddler still plays and laughs like other kids, so his parents are working to make his last few months the best experience for him.

The heartbreaking story of this boy’s condition is only sweetened by the overwhelming love that his parents show.

I covered the Project Homeless Connect dinner the other night and was unsure what to expect at first. Whenever going on assignment there are a number of unknowns, which is something you get accustomed to after awhile. (Which, incidentally, has improved my ability to walk into parties and feel comfortable even when I don’t know anyone. Perhaps I should market this…) What I found was a mass of people mostly willing to talk about their experiences, very welcoming and open.

What one man said, a guy who volunteers regularly at the Salvation Army Warming Center, left an impression on my brain – we’re all about one argument away from being homeless. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed accurate. Whether it’s with a significant other, the bank, a landlord, etc.

Though, a coworker pointed out as I was relaying this story, that we’re all one bullet away from dead if you want to think about things that way.