A Day of Reflextion

Two Roberts passed away today that significantly changed my life and the way I view many of its events.
First, there is Robert C. Byrd, the one-of-a-kind Senator from West Virginia who gave his all to seeing that American's freedoms remain intact and in believing that West Virginians deserved the basics of life just as an other American. He believed that we all should help one another in our search for the American dream and that the Constitution, a document written hundreds of years ago, was well worth saving so future generations could enjoy its fundamental strengths....that all people are created equal and they should remain equal.
I had the opportunity on several occasions over the years to interview Mr. Byrd. I remember first meeting him in Pleasants County when I was a teenager and a young musician playing in my first talent contest. He played the fiddle and I the guitar. I didn't really even think too much about his political position in life; I was mesmerized by the politician who could really play a hoe-down. I have an autographed photo of him playing his mother of pearl inlaid fiddle that now hangs in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. It was many years later that I snagged my first interview with the young Senator who was already fielding "term limit" questions. I remember him telling the audience, "You already have term limits...its called voting," he said. "If you think I've been in Washington too long and you want me gone, vote against me." Have you ever heard a politician say, "vote against me." That was in the 1980's and well you see how the voting went over the years. He was never ashamed of the millions in pork money he brought to our state and thank God for that. My last interview with him was about eight years ago and was by phone. He never faltered with an answer no matter how tough of a spot he might have been in. He was a champion for the state that I'm not sure we will ever be able to find again. He wept for West Virginia in its good times and in bad and we can only hope those tears helped develop and grow many strong roots which will continue to feed the growth of a strong state.
The second Robert I lost today was Bob Kelly, one of the finest journalists and writers in West Virginia. His last position was as the executive managing editor of the Charleston Daily Mail, but it was as a youngster that I first met Bob and his Dad, Adam, while the family was in Sistersville. The Kellys had the Sistersville newspaper and Roy Owens, a great friend and a former editor and publisher of mine, had the St. Marys newspaper, The Oracle. As a teenager, I loved to spend time in the back offices of either newspaper listening to the banter between the Kelly's and Owens. Both families inspired me to go into journalism and it was Bob who went out on a limb and hired me to the staff of the Parkersburg News even though I hadn't dusted off my journalism skills in many years. By then, it was June 2000 and I hadn't written a story since the 1980s. Bob said it was like,"riding a bicycle" and I would skin my knees up a few times, but that's what editors are for....(and as I thought he was going to say to pick me up and put me back on the bike again)....he said, to be like the antiseptic that would sting and bite and cause a few tears and I would cuss 'em, but I would know it was good for me. The last conversation I had with him was like all the others, he called me into his office to pick my brain to see if I knew anything about whatever the topic of the day was. He loved to find out everything he could about everything. And, you were never to leave out any detail, not even the slightest morsel. He had a great way of interviewing people and he would get what he needed in the most congenial way. He delighted in scooping other papers, yet when needed he would help them in any way he could...as long as he was first in print. They don't make journalists like Bob any more. This is what is wrong with today's news. There are two sides to every story and he wanted every detail of both sides. I'm sorry we have lost that in today's news and sorry to have lost his laugh. He loved a good joke. He loved West Virginia history and how ironic he would pass on one of the most historic days in the state's history in a long time...the same day as his good friend Robert Byrd.
May both Roberts RIP and know that there lives have touched a great many, but especially mine.