Compassion From Reporters

* Last Wednesday my son Craig was tragically killed in a mishap at school while practicing for a track meet. During the ensuing events of his dramatic resuscitation effort by the paramedics, emergency room staff and many doctors he went home to be with our Lord.

I was warned by so many people that this might be a “big story” and that the media would really want to talk to us. Concern was expressed that tough questions and persistence may be intrusive and uncomfortable.

Let me tell you about the media in our case. Yes, we had a TV news reporter call and stop by our house early in our grief. We really wanted to share our story with our city, so we braced ourselves and waited for the reporter to arrive.

The reporter was Kimberly Plummer; she was so gentle and loving. During a break in the questioning Kimberly went over to our piano and played us a song. The music was soothing to our souls. She finished her story, and as they left, her cameraman cried for us and told us of his prayers for our son and family.

Laurel Erickson also reported our tragedy. What a special lady. Yes, she got the story, but with love in her heart. She never pushed or intruded or tried to develop a bigger story than it was. She reported the news.

Chuck Henry and his wonderful cameraman met us at our church, and we talked and talked off camera about what had happened and how he too loved his family so much. His cameraman told of almost being hit by a discus while covering the Olympics. Chuck, too, got the story but with love and compassion. He said, “My favorite part of this job is being with people.” It showed.

Then there were Tracy Johnson from The Times and Marie Montgomery from the Daily Breeze, who cried and hugged us. They too were broken by our tragedy.

The media often take a bad hit from the public, but I must say that during our time of grief it was wonderful to be with such caring people. I wonder, how can they do this tough job day after day and still love so much? Thank you to all our new friends in the media.

CRAIG KELFORD FAMILY

Rancho Palos Verdes