A terrible week
|
|
August 25, 2013 |
"I am stunned to see the article you
published of Danette Vaughn online! Her only
daughter is 16 years old, has JUST heard of her
mother's death,
and you are profiting off the gross exploitation
of their tragedy without even contacting the
immediate family!
"It is only a matter of time before she sees
this macabre tragedy via some voyeur who sees it
as entertainment and shares it without any
thought
as to her personal grief .
"Quote 'freedom of the press' all you want to
me. You have no sense of morality, and I may
look into contacting an attorney to pursue this
further.
"Shame on you newsbf.com. SHAME on you!"
It has been a terrible week. The above letter,
which I received yesterday, ripped my heart out.
I know how it feels. My wife and I have been
there, too many times.
I don't know the person who wrote the letter, I
did not know the victim of this accident, I
seldom do.
I wrote back,
"My apologies for upsetting you. I did not
publish her name to exploit, and I only
published after the Idaho State Police released
her name, after being assured that her family
had been notified.
"In Bonners Gerry, I learned first hand in 1998
and again in 2005, when two of my children died,
that people appreciate knowing so they know who
to offer
comfort."
Yeah, I wrote "Bonners Gerry." I was a bit teary
at the time, and my finger slipped.
I'm used to such anguish, but it is never easy
to bear. Threats of lawsuits are common, too,
and though never safe, I am always careful.
Then I woke up to this message.
"Danette J Vaughn is my mother. She was
loved very much."
"Our condolences and prayers are with you," I wrote back. "You are your Mom's
legacy. I lost my mother in a car crash much too
soon, too. You are not alone ... never think it.
If you need help, there is a whole community
here for you to lean on. Our love is with you."
I would not share this, but for the attempt to
dispel the notion that I like these terrible
parts of what I have to do, or that I profit by
the telling.
To do not would diminish the trust I so depend
so much on.
I am able to publish the terrible because I have never been let down by
those who read these pages.
I may be reviled for the telling, but I am ever
redeemed by the graciousness and inherent
goodness of the people for whom I am privileged
to write, for those I am blessed to call neighbor.
I may hate what I must tell, but I am ever
grateful to do what little I can to help bring
out the best of what this community is. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
