Deanne

God Is Crying on Kirkwood

2008-02-22T13:44:00.001-08:00

It's been two weeks since the lives of so many, too many, changed forever. I've held off writing anything about the Kirkwood shootings
because, even as a journalist, I've found it difficult to find the words to replace the tears. Like most Kirkwoodians, I am deeply saddened and numb. I have lived in Kirkwood on and off since 1986.

Sure, it's the tree lined streets, the outstanding school district, and the farmer's market. But, above all, it's the people.
There is something comforting about neighbors that are truly there for you during times of crisis. A stranger could easily stop you in the local family market, look you in the eye, ask how you're doing, and mean it.

The day after the tragedy a noon memorial service was held at a downtown Kirkwood church. An overflow crowd was standing shoulder to shoulder, grieving together. As we began to pray and sing there were no more hymnals. A stranger moved closer, reaching out to share his hymnal. I obviously didn't know his name but we shared a bond. We were both crying and relying on the words of that hymn to somehow lift us. I know it may seem like a simple gesture, but a gesture I needed at that moment. It was a gesture indicative of Kirkwood.

My 14 year old son has yet to talk about the shootings. He'll either shake his head or say, "Not now, Mom."
I think he has seen me cry too much and doesn't know how to respond. He has asked about Mayor Mike Swoboda. Like most youngsters in Kirkwood, he considers the Mayor a buddy. I knew he would mention something eventually.

The day after the shootings, while I waited to interview City Attorney John Hessel, a light rain began to fall over Kirkwood. At the same time across town, my husband was picking my son up from school. What he said that day will stay with me forever. My son told his father, "God is crying on Kirkwood"

February 1st LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

2008-02-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

An air of anticipation filled our house Thursday, into the wee morning hours. For my son, it felt a lot like waiting for the opening of his gifts on Christmas morning.

Our meteorologists had been warning us for a few days. A big storm was coming. Sure enough, as soon as we began posting school closings on the air and on ksdk.com, I heard from my 14-year old every 20 minutes.

"Do you have good news for me? Are we closed yet?"

He had tried to get to sleep, but the uncertainty was wearing on him. ( Besides, he was busy, calling me all night!) Our cancellation list at work was building,but still no closing for his district.
Later, when I got home and kissed his cheek, as I do each and every night, he jumped up, hoping I was delivering the news he longed for. Nope, no such luck. Still, no snow day.

Then I heard a clanging noise under his pillow.

"Don't touch those!" my son yelled. He had placed about a half dozen ice tea spoons under his pillow. What was going on? Apparently one of my best friends told him, if you put spoons under your pillow and wore your boxers backwards, you would have a snow day!
What? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

As it turns out, my friend heard it from our pastor. I know he has connections, but spoons under your pillow? After monitoring the school closings every two hours, the call came to our house around 5:30a.m. School was officially closed. A glorious three day weekend for my son.

It was a sleepless night but well worth it for my little guy who still has some of those spoons under his pillow.

Too bad rain's in the forecast!!

What's On My Mind...

2008-01-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
It appears, I'm behind in my blogging, sounds painful doesn't it?? So here we go! At the request of our Webmaster extraordinaire, Diana Melton, I resolve in 2008 to blog more. I thought between the 5 and 10 you would have had/heard enough of me, but I understand it is a new world out there and I look forward to sharing it with you.

I hope this blog and my upcoming threads on stlMOMSworld.com bring us closer. Diana has done such a phenomenal job launching the mom's site. In fact the project has been so successful, we are airing our first stlMOMSworld television special this Thurday at 7:00 p.m. hosted by Kay Quinn and produced by Erika Ebsworth. I think you'll find it informative and reassuring as it focuses on many of the issues we as moms confront daily.

My goal here is to not just share family traditions etc., but to trigger an ongoing dialogue that helps me do my job better and makes our product more relevant for you.
With the upcoming Presidential election, the I-64 closure ( in case you hadn't heard), we have a lot to think about and discuss. On my stlMOMSworld thread, you'll find like many, I need advice tackling the teenage boy years. Where did this 14 year old come from? And what did he do with my sweet little boy? I really am blessed, but somedays I could pull my hair out.
Stay tuned and remember you can contact me through stlMOMSworld.com and dlane@ksdk.gannett.com <mailto:dlane@ksdk.gannett.com>.

JOHN ROEDEL
Recently, we celebrated the life of John Roedel, formerly of KSD and KSDK-TV. John was a true pioneer in the early days of television and news. I've learned over the years, in this cut-throat profession there are not many veterans who would embrace or engage a 23 year old reporter. That was not the case with John. From day one in 1983, he helped this rookie learn a new city and the dynamics of an extremely intimidating newsroom. A die-hard Ohio State Buckeye, he sat next to a naive Spartan hoping to make her mark. When we didn't talk about Big Ten football, he educated me about the business and worked with me on my voice. "You can do it kid," he'd remind me.

John's dear friends and former Channel 5 staffers, Howard DeMere and Kathy Leonard delivered moving tributes for this true grentleman.

John paved the way for the rest of us and for that and his friendship and guidance I will be eternally grateful.

BACK TO SCHOOL
Can you believe at my age I'm going back to school???
Actually, its Newschannel Five's Information Center or ICU. We are in the process of not only updating our newsroom with the latest echnology, but adjusting the way we gather and disseminate the news.

HELP!! I haven't even mastered my cell phone (which is a running joke in the newsroom, especial with the assignment desk and photographers).

I admit, this new project is rather intimidating and overwhelming . Yet, I welcome the challenge. It seems as if the business is changing daily. And with change comes innovation. We're among the first in the country to execute this concept.

With our new Information Center, we'll be able to bring you the latest news almost instantly. Instead of waiting for the next newscast, our pictures and interviews will be sent immediately to the web, your cell phone even I-Pod.

Now don't get me wrong, we STILL want you to join us for 5, 6 and 10 and All the newscasts. This is just another way we're trying to accommodate you and your busy lives.

TRIP OF A LIFETIME
A few months ago, my husband took me on a trip of a lifetime to China. Like me, you might be saying China?? But before I could whine too much, he told me the gift for the 20th anniversary is china, as in plates. And he said since I didn't need anymore dishes, he was actually TAKING me to China. Wow!

At first I panicked, worrying who would take care of our son? The trip was scheduled for two weeks and we had never left him for that length of time. Then, I realized there was only one person worthy of the job, one person responsible enough and only one person our son REALLY wanted to be with...his Grandpa Ray. "Pops" as he is affectionately known, jumped at the opportunity. Thank goodness! He and Griffin have a very special relationship, deeply rooted in love, respect and fun.

And we knew between the trips to Steak and Shake, watching and playing lots of sports, it was a match made in heaven.

The trip was fantastic; Shanghai, a cruise up the Yangtze River

Xi'an and the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Beijing. All along, I kept hearing my son's voice, "Don't bring me back anything stupid"

Obviously, we weren't bringing back any toys. So after struggling with ideas and a few Olympic t-shirts from Beijing, I realized we'd already given him his gift. In the end, it was quality time with Pops. A priceless chance for them to deepen their bond. For me, it was the trip of a lifetime. For a grandfather and grandson, it was their own journey, a journey they will never forget.

A NEW YOU IN THE NEW YEAR
I'm very excited about a new project I'm helping launch for stlMOMSworld. com. I'm pairing with local fitness diva Amy Strahan to help you become great in 2008. Eventually, we'll be taking your questions about fitness and nutrition. We'll not only answer those questions, but with Amy's help, we'll demonstrate a solution on the web.

You know, how to get rid of that excess baby weight or maybe you're training for an upcoming 5K or triathlon. In the long run, we hope to even meet some of you and share your success stories. As Oprah would say, take the CHALLENGE!