Neill McNeill's Blog

I promised myself when I started this process I wouldn't get too personal with my blogs. I read a lot of news anchor blog entries from across the country, and I've found--in more cases than not---the anchors tend to reveal a little too much about their personal lives. I usually find myself asking, "okay, what's the point? Sure it's great to learn a little more about this person, but this is more than I wanted to know."  

This time, however, I'm making an exception.

My sincere appreciation's going out today to members of the Fox 8 Family, Fox 8 Viewers, The Fox 8 Web Team, and the Fox 8 Blogging Community for all the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of support after the death of my father last week. Words can't express the amount of comfort and reassurance I and my family felt from the many phone calls, cards, flowers, letters, e-mails, blog entries/comments, and personal visits.

Although my dad lived in southeastern North Carolina, he had the ability to watch our newscasts. And he did so every day. The Fox 8 Family was part of his extended family, and that's another reason this kindness is so special.

Many of you who've lost a parent or other close family member know how stressful and emotionally-draining this past week has been for my family--especially with my dad's death happening during a holiday week.

Then there was the shock of it all. He died of a sudden hemorrhagic stroke (just type that into "Google" or another search engine to read more about this and the other main "type" of stroke, their causes, and their symptoms). We take comfort, however, in the fact he passed quickly, without much (if any) pain, and at home---just as he would have wanted. We also take comfort in knowing he's in a much better place!

The next few weeks and months will be difficult as we try to get my mom settled. So please keep those good thoughts and prayers coming. But again, please know how much I personally appreciate your kindness and support.