Reporting on tragedies is one of the unenviable jobs a reporter has, especially in a small community. Not much is gained except the truth and reporters should be cognizant of how such a story will affect those directly affected by the tragedy.

Over the past 34-plus years, I have written many tragic stories for this newspaper and it does not get any easier with each one. The latest story on Kimberly Crocker's most untimely fatal accident was personally difficult for many reasons – having known the family for many years (her mom was my typing teacher), writing up Kim's, Eddie's and Allan's sports accomplishments over the years; later, Diane and Dick's grandchildren's achievements at BRES and BRHS; and covering and thinking about Kim's special 20-year-plus bond with the area's young children as a daycare owner. Like the service program and her obituary said, "we lose a part of the community that will never be replaced."

An estimated 700 to 800 people attended Kim's moving service at BRHS on Sunday. As I sat in the bleachers listening to the various speakers talk about how Kim touched the lives of so many, I soon became aware that I was sitting next to two people who experienced tragic endings to loved ones’ lives. Most of us have experienced tragedies and hopefully the number of them will remain few. 

As one speaker said, don't take anything for granted. Tell and show the people you love how much you mean to them before they pass on. It won't change the heartache after they are gone but it will help in the time to come.

Take care, Crocker family. Remember Kim's smile, and everyone should – like the program implied – appreciate life as much as she did.