And that's the way it was....

When I was a little girl (seriously, little, ages 4-7 ***EDIT my mom says this started when I was about 2) I loved to watch the news. Odd, I know, but there was something about knowing what was going on in the world around me that I found exciting. Every evening, I would sit in my dad's lap (he's also a newsie and probably where I got it from) and we would watch it together. He would patiently explain things I didn't understand and we would discuss things way beyond my age level. This was a special time between me and my dad that I will carry with me forever. The man who delivered us the news was of course, Walter Cronkite. He condensed a whole days worth of news and human interest stories into a calm, comforting half hour show. His voice was soothing and his manner serious, but friendly. Even in the midst of a crisis, he was there to report on in and somehow reassure that it would, somehow, be all right.
When I heard of his death the other day, I actually cried. I had never met the man, but he was such an integral part of my childhood that I felt the loss keenly. He reported on some of the most important events of the 20th century and did so with a dignity and respect that is often missing in today's rapid fire, on the go, scroll at the bottom, interchangeable reporter, newscasts. He will be missed. And that's the way it is.