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by ChrisMerchant from The City Beautiful

Last Post 300 days, 7 hours Ago


If you had it all, or "tell them you love them"
Apr 6, 2007 | 3:51 PM
Category: News
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This story didn't get much airtime in Orlando, if any. At one time, a mere 6 years ago this week, I was the afternoon and evening reporter for Money 570, WTBN in Tampa. Through a neat little contract deal, I actually worked for WFLA NewsChannel 8 as a part of their news team. My desk was in the middle of the newsroom; my friends were the reporters on TV. I filled in for the financial reporter on the 6 and 11 newscasts a few times. I was a talking head...

 

It's not the Fox station, so I doubt it's even been reported on Fox 35... no hard feelings there, guys.

 

John Winter, the morning meteorologist on NewsChannel 8 for a dozen years, killed himself yesterday. John was a friend... 39 years old, a beautiful wife, a fantastic career that was only going up....

 

What causes someone like him to do this?  My life has taken a huge spiral downwards in the past few years, but I'm recovering and making it happen. He had it all. How are we so different so that he felt this was necessary? I don't expect any answers... just a few ideas.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 5
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guchi read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2007 | 4:53 PM

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Winter. That's horrible.

I have to admit, there has been an ocassion or two when I have felt like walking on I-4 & never coming back. But I think about my kids alot & wonder how they would cope. Sometimes it seems like life overwhelms you.

It happens to alot of us, but not everyone is willing to admit it or even talk about it.

Talking is so good. I'm sorry for your friend.
Proud_Dad_Deltona read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2007 | 5:40 PM

WOW!!!! Didn not know this. My wife and I lived in Brandon about 8 years ago, and i saw him on TV a few times. How sad. Sorry about the loss of your friend.
untamedbrat read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2007 | 6:31 PM

Sorry to hear about your friend. Sometimes everything seems perfect on the outside but in reality it is not. Whatever the reason you will never truly know. I too have had these thoughts. I love my family and don't want to hurt them; I just sometimes feel they would be better off without me. Life is a blessing, it's never easy but for some it may seem hopeless, It is sad he didn't try to talk to someone or get help, I sure his family feels a lot of pain and guilt. They need to get counseling, it was not because of them this happened. Someone very wise once told me you must find happiness within yourself before you will be happy with another.
CUPIDSMOMMY read my blog view my photos
Apr 6, 2007 | 9:21 PM

i imagine at certain times or occasions in our lives our minds have all wandered off to that forbidden thought that "guchi" mentioned. i guess we will never really know why a person would do this, its such a selfish act and you dont even realize its selfish. so many people are hurting now as badly as he was before. alot of times in my life things have been hard, makes you wonder why for some its so tough and for others it seems to be so easy...maybe it isnt easy after all, maybe it just seems to be its just never known, i guess we will never know the answers to that. im sorry about your friend.
SuthernAttitude read my blog view my photos
Apr 7, 2007 | 2:58 AM

Chris~ only one person knows the reason why your friend chose this path, and to try and speculate now would serve no purpose. Once you get past the anger, pain and confusion of loosing someone close to you, try and look at it from this point of view. Your friend is no long in such pain that he was willing to give up his life to see it end. He has found the peace he was seeking and while he will be missed greatly I am sure, there is comfort in knowing that he will always be just a memory away. Hold him close to your heart and remember the good things not the bad. Nothing is as final as death but that too is just a begining to a new adventure and hopefully one you and your friend will again share some day.
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ChrisMerchant

I'm the Sales Manager for ROCK100diz.com and her sister internet stations. I've worked in TV and radio in Cleveland and Tampa (working with some amazing, Murrow and Emmy Award winning people) and somewhere along the way I've managed to drive over 2 million miles in a semi truck. I'm working on a novel, and I've been considering a run for the state house in a few years.

Member Since: 1/10/2007


 

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