Anyone else start feeling this way? RE: All the funeral coverage

[MeanLaureen]

I was wondering if I was the only one getting very down over the constant funeral coverage...

The images of grieving people
The funeral type music playing over and over
The constant coverage of the coffin being moved from place to place

I guess it got to me because DH Obi-Wan is watching it 24/7 on the cable news networks. It's on in the morning, it's on when I come home from work and all night.

Last night I just got so depressed after hearing the sad music in the background for the 5th day in a row and lost it and locked myself away in the bedroom with "While You Were Out" on.

Have you watched continuous coverage of the funeral/wake/procession? Doesn't it get you depressed? Yes, I feel bad for Reagan's family but it went beyond that for me... it was just too much... sadness. Not just sadness but the same thing played over and over and over and over.

It's like any other disaster or sad news story. They (the news networks) play the same footage over and over and over again. Does it get to you? When is it too much?

Yeah, I know... you can always turn the TV off - but when you live with a news junkie like I do, you can't get away from all the coverage.

Maybe it's just me - there has been too much sadness in my life the past few years. I'm overreacting probably. Just whap me upside the head, I'll be okay.. I think

 

[Robinrs]

Seeing the faces of the families reminds me so much of what I've been through too many times these past two years. I'd watch for a few minutes and the memories start flooding in. I'd see how calm everyone is looking and knowing how up front I was and how much pain I was actually feeling. I can't handle too much of it.

 

[WDWLVR]

I know I'm in the minority, but I actually took yesterday off and watched the entire thing. I'm the sentimental patriotic type. It is a part of history and I wanted to see it happen.

Yes, parts were hard. I don't think you can watch any funeral without it bringing memories of the ones you have attended yourself. However just having the chance to see all those assembled and to hear the words of praise.

I guess I feel a kinship with Ronald Reagan. Back in 1981 I was on medical leave for over 3 months with a broken ankle. I watched him get sworn in to office (and having the hostages released the same day). I also watched him get shot. I guess it was just fitting that I would watch all this as well.

 

[zurgswife]

I watched or listend to a lot of yesterday's coverage...it was very moving....especially last night when Nancy said her finally farewell.. Very emotional.....

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to admit that I've watched as much as I could. Even went to MSNBC yesterday after the major networks stopped at 2 ET. I really wanted to watch the Simi Valley ceremony last night but fell asleep. But, at 6 am I found it and got to watch it. Yes, it did upset me. It's still pretty soon after my own funeral experiences of last fall but it was really quite peaceful for me. I sat there, with tears pouring down my face, seeing others feeling the same way I did in the fall. It made me realize that everyone goes through this at some point. I guess I felt like part of a big picture in some way. I'm really glad I got to see the Simi Valley stuff most of all. It was quite beautiful and Pres. Reagon's children were quite well-spoken.

 

[TZMOM]

I think it was WAAAYYYY overdone. We don't need every single channel covering the same thing for days on end. I just don't understand the logic on that one. I just don't think he was that great and I voted for him 2x!! I think we all tend to gloss over the not so great stuff when people pass away - which I guess is human nature to want to cannonize (sp?) the dead. I just chose to watch other stuff.

 

[winniedapooh]

I have been lucky????? and worked a lot of extra hours this week so the only thing I actually got to see was last nights funeral. That was enough for me. If I had been seeing it off and on all week I think I would become down and feeling depressed and ready to blow and well you get the picture too!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Originally posted by MeanLaureen
I was wondering if I was the only one getting very down over the constant funeral coverage...

The images of grieving people
The funeral type music playing over and over
The constant coverage of the coffin being moved from place to place

I guess it got to me because DH Obi-Wan is watching it 24/7 on the cable news networks. It's on in the morning, it's on when I come home from work and all night.

Have you watched continuous coverage of the funeral/wake/procession? Doesn't it get you depressed? Yes, I feel bad for Reagan's family but it went beyond that for me... it was just too much... sadness. Not just sadness but the same thing played over and over and over and over.

It's like any other disaster or sad news story.

Maybe it's just me - there has been too much sadness in my life the past few years. I'm overreacting probably. Just whap me upside the head, I'll be okay.. I think

Of course you have the right to feel down and/or depressed if you like. I do disagree with your observation that "It's like any other disaster or sad news story."

I looked at this as a very positive event in our nation's history. There was no doubt that former President Reagan was going to die soon, with his advancing age of 93 and with Alzheimer's disease progressing. While the funeral itself was sad, this was not just "any other disaster or sad news story". Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was symbolic of those world leaders who "got it". She showed extreme class and fortitude to come to the funeral and then to travel on to California to show respect for an old friend. She has health problems that would be possible to use as an excuse to bow out from the proceedings. But, she showed that she was a class act to attend.

There were so many other positive things that came out during this event that I can not list them here. Sure, it was a funeral and it is sad that President Reagan died, but the courage and fortitude that so many people exhibited to show respect to him far surpassed the negative aspects.

Perhaps you can whack yourself "upside the head" and see the positive side to his funeral. Besides, you don't need to worry, the event is over. I also disagree that the event was "WAAAYYY overdone". If watching the normal television summer reruns was so important to some, then there were opportunities for that. For those that didn't want to watch, there is always a good book, a trip to the mall, friend with which to chat, or time with family.

I just think the nation is the better to honor its institutions like its President. Whether one thinks he was good or not is not the issue. He was one of our Presidents and was honored by hundreds of thousands of Americans in Washington DC and in California. I think our country is the better for Ronald Reagan.

 

[disney4us2002]

I seem to follow more with Obi-Wan in that I cannot get enough of it. I was a huge Reagan fan and really have felt no connection with any president since. I'd love to see another president bring back some 'oomph' to the office and get the nation fired up. The funeral event, while sad, was fitting this wonderful man. I have loved reliving all of his interviews and funny stories and jokes and speeches.

I have also thoroughly enjoyed Dan's posts with fantastic pictures.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by MeanLaureen
I was wondering if I was the only one getting very down over the constant funeral coverage...

Last night I just got so depressed after hearing the sad music in the background for the 5th day in a row and lost it and locked myself away in the bedroom with "While You Were Out" on.

I know exactly how you feel. Every time I watch "While You Were Out" I get extremely depressed. I hate when they just get rid of the old stuff and replace it with new junk. And they seem to think just because they get rid of one of the people for a while that it is ok to go and trash their house and change stuff around. How would they like it if one of us went into their TV truck and just started throwing things out and rearranging all of their equipment and putting a rug over the top of their video tapes. I bet then they would leave our stuff alone.

Jeff

 

[CamColt]

I was thinking the same thing yesterday!
After spending Thursday night at MIL's wake, then Friday morning at her funeral, coming home last night and watching the news was really overkill for us.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Of course you have the right to feel down and/or depressed if you like. I do disagree with your observation that "It's like any other disaster or sad news story."

I looked at this as a very positive event in our nation's history. There was no doubt that former President Reagan was going to die soon, with his advancing age of 93 and with Alzheimer's disease progressing. While the funeral itself was sad, this was not just "any other disaster or sad news story".

I think you misunderstood in my statement. I did not say that Reagan's death was like any other sad story...

I was saying that the media tends to overrun coverage of bad events until the images and sounds are etched into your brain. It seemed to me that they were trying to sensationalize the funeral like they do other tragic events.

Perhaps you can whack yourself "upside the head" and see the positive side to his funeral. Besides, you don't need to worry, the event is over.

Thanks for the advice, however I was saying that because of events in my life bringing me down in addition to hearing the events on tv in the background. I don't NEED a whap to understand the positive side of the people that came together at his funeral. Did I ever say that his funeral was a negative thing? No.. I just mentioned that the continous coverage was bringing me down.

I just think the nation is the better to honor its institutions like its President. Whether one thinks he was good or not is not the issue. He was one of our Presidents and was honored by hundreds of thousands of Americans in Washington DC and in California. I think our country is the better for Ronald Reagan.

I never said we shouldn't honor our presidents and I never passed judgement on whether I liked him or not. I just think the media went a little far - especially during the silent times when people are paying respect and all you could hear was the clicking of the camera shutters. To me it's just not respectful towards the family and I hope they had plenty of time alone to say their goodbyes.

Hey, just my opinion - and like any opinion there is no right or wrong - it's just how you feel

Oh, and Jeff... shouldn't you be sleeping? sheesh!

 

[4nana]

It may be part of history and yes he was a wonderful man, husband, father and president. I have to admit I have watched very little of it as we buried my dear Dad last year w/miliary honors. Mrs. Reagan looks very much like my dear 74yo Mom. We are also mentally preparing ourselves - our son is leaving for Iraq.

Too depressing ....just couldn't do it.....

Godspeed ^i^
Sandie

 

[C.Ann]

I didn't watch any of it until last night.. We're dealing with our own sadness right now and having to watch that sadness over and over again all week long would not have been the best choice for me..

Nancy Reagan was never one of my favorite people (although I truly admired her love and devotion for her husband) but after seeing her last night, I truly worry that she won't be able to go on without her beloved "Ronnie"..

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by MeanLaureen
Oh, and Jeff... shouldn't you be sleeping? sheesh!

How in the wide, wide world of sports am I supposed to sleep when there are people out there redecorating the houses of complete strangers while they are away? It is like invasion of the body snatchers only with Rubbermaid storage bins. Next thing you know the Discovery Channel is going to come out with Monstor Prison where Martha Stewart shows us how to make cute home decorations out of license plates and how to feed 1,000 hungry inmates after a day on the chain gang. This has somehow got to stop. I don't want to be organized, I am not interested in faux paint, I'm ok not knowing what my neighbor's bedroom carpet looks like. Reality television makes me wish for insanity. I liked it better when Jerry and Kramer represented the real world. Serenity now...

Jeff

 

[HollyJoy]

Nope. I am not getting down about it all. Sure, I'm very sad. Reagan was the President of my childhood. A great man, IMO, and I'm enjoying being able to be part of all the services, etc. It's history to be able to see a President lie in state.

 

[DebbieB]

I didn't view it as a sad event. I viewed it as a ceremony honoring his life. He wasn't an assasinated 43 year old. He was 93, he lived a long and wonderful live (despite what happened at the end).

I didn't feel they should have shown the last goodbye at the grave but I'm sure Nancy had approval over everything and she must have agreed to it.

 

[MeanLaureen]

How in the wide, wide world of sports am I supposed to sleep when there are people out there redecorating the houses of complete strangers while they are away? It is like invasion of the body snatchers only with Rubbermaid storage bins. Next thing you know the Discovery Channel is going to come out with Monstor Prison where Martha Stewart shows us how to make cute home decorations out of license plates and how to feed 1,000 hungry inmates after a day on the chain gang. This has somehow got to stop. I don't want to be organized, I am not interested in faux paint, I'm ok not knowing what my neighbor's bedroom carpet looks like. Reality television makes me wish for insanity. I liked it better when Jerry and Kramer represented the real world. Serenity now...

Don't forget... I know where you live!!! Bwahhh haah haaa

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by MeanLaureen
Don't forget... I know where you live!!! Bwahhh haah haaa

Like that is going to help me feel better about sleeping.

Jeff

 

[Pin Wizard]

I for one am glad I haven't been able to watch TV since moving in March. Yipee! All I've seen of it is what's on the front page of the papers, and in Books-A-Million, I saw the jet taking off for CA. Interesting...at the same time I heard a jet take off here! I'm wondering if the military bases were all in synch. Too strange to be coincidental.