Would You Do This?

Travis Barker, the Drummer for Blink 182 has to bow out of the Australian leg of the band's latest tour. He refuses to fly after surviving a September 2008 plane crash. That crash claimed the lives of four people, including 2 of his best friends.

Barker and the late Adam Goldstein were the only survivors. Goldstein died in 2009 from "acute intoxication" from a combination of illegal and legal drugs.

Barker says he still hasn't gotten over that plane crash and he won't fly. I don't blame him. While some people think the way you get over a tragedy is to face your fears- others are of the mentality that he was lucky or even blessed to cheat death- why put yourself in that position if it's unnecessary. He is likely traumatized for life. I fall along the lines of... after that--  don't fly.

What do you think? Do you think he should fly and try and get over the fear or do you agree with his decision to have a stand in for that leg of the tour?

How To Talk To Children About Tragedy

Many parents are probably trying to shield their children from all the coverage about the Newtown shootings. I know I am. But there's no doubt they may be getting a peek of the coverage as you watch or check on your computers. That will lead to questions from them and sometimes fears and worries. As school is set to be back in session there is likely fear among some children about their safety and it's important to be there to support them and let them know they will be ok. Below are a few links to advice on how to talk to them about tragedy.

NBC Today Show
MSNBC
Huffington Post
CNN

In Mourning

Sadly, death and destruction are nothing new in the life of a News Anchor- but this, this is different. Over my 20 years in the business I've honed my skills on how to deal with tragedies and report the facts, stay sensitive to those affected and maintain a distance so I don't get emotional on air. But lately- I've found myself feeling more and more emotional when I hear a soundbite that touches me or read a story that is just too difficult to imagine. I have noticed the common theme is the stories are about children. I simply do not understand why anyone would hurt an innocent child.

When I left work yesterday afternoon the news from Newtown Connecticut was just breaking. I had heard that a gunman showed up to a school but was dead. I think my mind went into lock down mode- and just thought.... oh it probably happened outside of the school, out of the sight of children and the gunman was dead.

I left thinking it wasn't a serious incident- oh was I so wrong. I went about my day and ran into one of my Producers at the station at a local store. She said there were children dead, we were sending resources there and the rest she said was a blur. HUH? I just couldn't comprehend it. In fact- I avoided any media. This was completely opposite of what I have ever done. It is my job to stay informed and I take that seriously- but something about this news story was different. It was the children. I just couldn't bring myself to hear about the deaths of many children.

As I woke up this morning I finally forced myself to watch the news. I'm glad I did. I need to know these things because it is important not only to my job- but more importantly as a citizen of this country and a person with a heart. I am a Mother of 3. My heart breaks for these families. I still can't imagine this horror.

I know very well a woman who worked with state officials to create the safety plan that Connecticut schools have in the event of an incident of this magnitude. Every person asked about the plan in the media said the followed it and it probably saved many lives. Those educators were heroes because they knew what to do. I hold on to that in this time of grief.

20 children, 6 adults at the school, the shooter's mother at her home 3-5 miles away and the gunman himself- all dead. It's senseless. I'm sadden just like you are. I am in mourning.