About grief and journalism

Because I'm still letting off some steam, I think this would be a great time to note that, as a professional journalist, it never, ever gets any easier to talk to the grieving relatives and friends of a dead child.

Trust me, I understand that it's extremely invasive and, in many respects, unspeakably rude. I wonder why or how anyone would ever entertain the idea of an interview with a reporter in the hours after a loved one has passed. I hope I would have the grace and patience to do it but I'm not completely sure.

I write this because I think sometimes people think that reporters are heartless androids, that we're pseudo-humans sent to their front doors to cause them anguish or exploit their pain. At least in my case, nothing could be further from the truth. If I never have to do that again, it'll be too soon.