Friday, April 20, 2007
hokie hope day
we love our hokies.
...
Friday, April 20, 2007
'How do we go on from here?'
The tone among reporters and Virginia Tech representatives inside the Inn at Skelton Hall was markedly different Thursday afternoon. No longer were reporters attacking the speaker with a barrage of questions, shouting over one another to get answered first. Perhaps it was because they were tired, their tone much softer.
Perhaps it was empathy for the man responsible for our briefings: Larry Hincker, Virginia Tech associate vice president for university relations.
Hincker walked up to the podium. He leaned on his weary right hand as it shook and he spoke. Sometimes it was difficult to hear him even a few rows back. He addressed the media as friends, some now very familiar to him.
"How do we go on from here?" he asked quite literally in terms of how to logistically best go about relaying information to the news media from then on. The room fell into total silence.
It was clear we were taken aback by his sincere frankness and effort to work with us as much as he felt possible -- even despite his tired, beaten demeanor. Maybe 20 seconds passed until someone replied, "You're doing a good job."
The room broke out into applause.
For a few minutes inside the presser, we all reminded ourselves that though we are aggressive, we can and must appreciate one another -- mostly perhaps, because no one knows what might happen to them next.
-- By Michael Sefanov, CNN National Desk Assignment Editor
Posted By CNN: 9:20 AM ET
'How do we go on from here?'
The tone among reporters and Virginia Tech representatives inside the Inn at Skelton Hall was markedly different Thursday afternoon. No longer were reporters attacking the speaker with a barrage of questions, shouting over one another to get answered first. Perhaps it was because they were tired, their tone much softer.
Perhaps it was empathy for the man responsible for our briefings: Larry Hincker, Virginia Tech associate vice president for university relations.
Hincker walked up to the podium. He leaned on his weary right hand as it shook and he spoke. Sometimes it was difficult to hear him even a few rows back. He addressed the media as friends, some now very familiar to him.
"How do we go on from here?" he asked quite literally in terms of how to logistically best go about relaying information to the news media from then on. The room fell into total silence.
It was clear we were taken aback by his sincere frankness and effort to work with us as much as he felt possible -- even despite his tired, beaten demeanor. Maybe 20 seconds passed until someone replied, "You're doing a good job."
The room broke out into applause.
For a few minutes inside the presser, we all reminded ourselves that though we are aggressive, we can and must appreciate one another -- mostly perhaps, because no one knows what might happen to them next.
-- By Michael Sefanov, CNN National Desk Assignment Editor
Posted By CNN: 9:20 AM ET
16 Comments:
Amen! I love that you got the kids involved too, very swwet.
Thank you for sharing. Really puts it in perspective. Thanks.
I am so happy to hear that this has happened in the pressroom...it brought tears to my eyes to read your post!
I had to stop watching the reports for a while, because it just broke my heart to hear how the press was attacking the officials of the school etc., asking WHY DIDN'T THEY DO ANYTHING TO PREVENT THIS? So glad to here they have now realized that we are all human and most likely nobody feels worse then them...I'm sure they are all questioning themselves and they too are wondering what more they could have done to prevent this...while there was nothing. Nobody could have known this could have happened. I believe that this poor young man has been under Satan's powers for some time now. Very sad and scary. I continue to pray for all involved...from the shooter's family, the victim’s families, to the officials at the school and all involved. Bless them all and you! Great photo of you and your kids in your ‘VT gear’! :)
Today I'm thinking of the victims, their families, the university, and you, friend.
What a profound moment. And what an important sentiment.
I love that picture. We're in Virginia, funerals are going on for two local girls who were killed, and we're seeing glimpses of maroon and orange everywhere we look.
Thank you for sharing something positive.
chalk one up for the good people out there willing to be vulnerable and, let's face it, "human"!
sometimes it's important to stop doing the "job" and let down our guard, on both sides. to reach out and let others reach in so we can get through senseless tragedy...together. it should happen more often.
thanks for honoring the importance of that with your post today.
Wonderful post...and I love the photo, too.
Prayers for hope and healing,
Andrea
That is the cutest picture..Just Darling! My daughter and three of her friends just left Chapel Hill today for a weekend in Charleston, SC. If I didn't know better I would have thought they were from VT. They were all decked out in VT sweats and hats. One of the guys said they thought it was hard when one of our Ramses was killed while at the NCAA tourney in NJ. He said imagine that loss by 32. You would be proud to know the colleges around us have invited VT students to visit this weekend in an effort to reach out. There are a lot of wonderful kids on college campuses.
even a few women in my step class this morning had Hokie Tees on....All the way over here in Oregon!
my favorite post of all time...and also cuz there's a picture of you and your little angels. blessings to you, miss bethy.
hey girly, i just noticed that i am logged on as "the shabee chick" cuz she was over at my house today. that comment was posted by me...ashley...at the draper house. it was me, not amber. sorry.
thanks, ashley. i thought i could use some lipstick :)
We may be Hokies in our house, but we are sending our (UConn) Husky spirit south to you and the rest of VT students and families.
The kids are so sweet!
HI Bethy
Thank you for the article on the victims of V tech. I am praying for all who are involved.
But i really wanted to write encouraging words and heart notes to you in the loss of your nephew.
What a beautiful baby. Such a fleeting life but oh so joy and love he brought and left behind.
I have taken care of children with critical illness for 32 yrs. There is nothing more heart wrenching than to lose your child. We he a near mishap with our grand daughter but she was fine.
I remember several parents telling me when their child died that they were so afraid that no one would ever remember them 'after life goes on for those around us."
For that reason those we know who lose children we take special care to send pics we had of that child or notes of thinking of you, loving you, remembering your child etc. flowers phone calls anything that helps them 'to talk and remember with someone who knew and loved their little one is so necessary.
My prayers go out to you and your family in their loss and grief.
catiean
What a wonderful picture...thank you for sharing.
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