I never met her. I don't know who she is, but there are times when my work-life seeps in to my real-life and I have a hard time reconciling the two.
Whitney Hendrickson was pumping gas Tuesday afternoon when the unthinkable happened. A freak accident. An SUV raced through the 7-Eleven parking lot, slammed into a pick-up truck and that pick-up pinned Whitney between the gas pump and her mini-van. The pump exploded, and Whitney burned to death. She was only 18, home from college for spring break.
This is where my two lifes collide. As a journalist it is my responsibility to learn as much as possible about Whitney. Can I track down her family, friends? Can I get them to talk on camera. Some of you are probably thinking, "How insensitive!" But as viewers and as a viewer myself I know what story wants to be heard.
Who was Whitney? What was she like? Whose lives did she impact? What will she be remembered for the most? And her friends and family shared so many stories: Whitney has a twin brother, she was known for her sense of humor, infectious lust for life... and her dad said she was ready to take on the world.
So this week at work has been hard as I try to understand why this happened to Whitney. Truth is, every week brings some story I'm forced to find somewhere in my mind and heart to place. Why would a parent hit their toddler so hard in the head it kills her? Why would a mother allow her boyfriend to sexually abuse her daughter? Why would a teenager gun down his friends on the way home from school? Why would a gunman open fire in a church filled with thousands killing two sisters? Why would an infant be born with cancer and never live to see her first birthday?
These are stories I tell every day. Stories like Whitney's that make this job hard. But because of these stories, my faith is strengthened every day. I find strength in the gospel, and the knowledge of our Savior's plan. A plan that gives me hope, and gives me the ability to share stories like Whitney's.
Think of her family this week, pray for them. They'll need the added blessings.
