Introspection Makes Me Sad

With the most recent news of the passing of Heath Ledger, I took a few moments to think about not only his life but my own life.  Even though I am a bit older, the distance is close enough for me to associate with him.  I also have a young daughter (again a bit older), but I am with my wife.  What really gets to me is the immediate reaction by the news media and the lack of compassion for a young mind that will grow up not only without her father, but with a remembrance that will include articles on TMZ.  Regardless of the causes, anytime someone dies we should remember that there are always other people involved.

Now I could rant and rave about why the news media is just a life suck when something like this happens.  Believe me when I tell you that tragedy is like a fresh pile of poop to the dung beetle media.  How do I know this?  I watched the video of a body bag leaving an apartment building while trying to watch the news.  Great, so now when I think of Heath Ledger I have that image in my mind.  How do you tell a 2 year old that her father is remembered as the guy who was a gay cowboy and died naked?  Unfortunately life is like this and so is death.  I would be happy to know that his daughter will grow up knowing that no matter what anyone says, Heath Ledger was a man no different from any other man.  He had problems, as anyone does; but he also loved her.  People make mistakes whether intentionally or unintentionally, but life goes on.

So I’m sad.  Sad that the world focuses on the bad and not the good sometimes.  I hope that my own daughter has the chance to know me for a long time and understand that life is about more than just a body bag at the end.