My heart breaks

<Don't ask why this never posted... Sorry it's so late>

Boston. Ricin letters. West Texas.

All terrible incidents that I've covered this week.

I spoke to a group of college students weeks ago and I was asked a very good question. "How do you remove yourself from stories?"

This one stumped me. All through college I was told you can't be involved, you can't be emotional.

I've realized over the past 3 years in this business, that life is sad. Covering tragedies doesn't get any easier. I'll never forget the first time a story really got to me. April 27, 2011. Most of you who follow my blog will never forget this day. That whole day I was in work mode. Get the official sound, get the "real person" sound and rush back and edit. Problem was, I was in Catoosa County, GA and officials wouldn't let the media in the city to get the "real sound." So, it was a bunch of waiting around. We couldn't see much of anything from the Sheriff's office where we were staged. But, hours and hours later (if not the next day) we were allowed in. That was definitely something I was not prepared for.

So, I was in work mode for hours upon hours. I remember getting home, looking at my pictures, and just crying. Mother Nature is crazy.

So, on Monday-- the day of the Boston Bombings. I'm sitting at home, glued to CNN. I just start crying.

Needless to say-- I think there's a time and a place to put yourself in the situation. Is it ok to break down and sob on live TV? Probably not. Is it okay to get emotional with a mom who just lost her child? Sure.

I feel like people think journalists have no emotion. Please. I'm a real person and I put my pants on just like anyone else. (Shocking.. I know)