I'm going for the Daily Double! Ironically, I posted a story on my personal blog,
Grand Slam Kinda Day, earlier in the day with this same exact title, so be it totally different topic.
It's finally hit home. I have to spring out of 'denial.'
The holidays are over which means vacations have come to an abrupt end and everyone is back at work.
We are gearing up for March Sweeps --that's right, March Sweeps. The way my News Director explained it is that March has become a sweeps month this year instead of February due to the changeover. With talk of a changeover delay, what does that do for the rest of the Sweeps seasons???? Regardless, gearing up for Sweeps, everyone is back at work.
And with everyone back at work, there is one quality piece of the puzzle absent.
I finally have to admit that my former co-worker and friend, Lydia Esparra, is gone and not coming back.
Lydia, a vibrant force, could always cause quite a stir with her outgoing compassion and energy.
Lydia and wkyc parted ways at the end of December.
When a co-worker leaves for whatever reason, there is a great void, especially amongst a very tight, cohesive team, which characterized our crew. A missing piece leaves quite a hole, even though everyone must plunge ahead.
It's unfortunate that oftentimes the tightness of a group, tremendous talent, teamwork, and titanic contributions to the whole are not always recognized by those not constantly present.
Let me tell you about Lydia. She was an anchor, reporter, and researcher all rolled into one who NEVER put on airs. What I mean is, she was the REAL deal, totally underrated.
She spoke from her heart. She said what was on her mind. She never spoke behind any one's back, always went to the source...and always had your back! She also had her endearing 'scatter brain' moments, especially when it came to directions, but really, don't we all!!! That made her even more endearing --she admitted her flaws and foibles!
I just loved when Lydia worked because she knew she was expected to bird dog multiple stories each night...there were nights she got us 3 or 4 and knew that was all part of her job. There were nights she stumbled on a great story and shot it as a HFR (hold for release). She was also very cognizant that crews were/are a hot commodity, especially on nights, overnights and weekends, and her crew may be needed for another assignment so she got them back as quickly as she could--no wasting time, no stopping for long dinners, nothing like that!
Along with getting the stories covered, she completed the tasks associated with her main job which entailed putting her stories on the web....leaving a slice of her story for the morning show....and leaving updates, if necessary, in the computer.
Lydia, I believe, was the senior Puerto Rican reporter/anchor in Cleveland. She was highly regarded in her ethnic community and had contacts like you would not believe, not just here but all over the U.S. Her heritage helped in obtaining her exclusive with Bartolo Colon (with just a little help from my Pastor, Father Gary, who was Bartolo's spiritual advisor), as well as so many other stories related to her community. She was extremely competitive and always wanted to WIN the big story, beat the competition. She'd stop at nothing less.
Her enthusiasm for politics was well known in the newsroom, partially because of her husband's profession I would imagine. But really, if there is a reporter who excels at something, you should let them run with their passions. On a number of occasions, Lydia and her contacts bailed us out or got the 'big get' when dealing with 'Presidential Protocol.'
Lydia was down to earth. She would walk around the newsroom with her hair up, no make-up, talk to absolutely EVERYONE in the building from the cleaning crew to the GM. She answered all her viewer email and phone calls. And when it was a rough night up at the News Desk or we were getting slammed with phone calls, she was the first to come up and help rather than walk on by.
Our team is so in sync, it's oftentimes scary. There were times when Lydia and Producer Dan knew I had something going on before I even verbalized the situation. I'd crank the scanner, set perched facing the scanner, and be totally silent. It was then when Lydia would quickly finish the current story she was working on, sometimes even RUN (literally run) back to EJ and track it so that she could go out on the breaking news story. She kicked major booty at the Carbon Monoxide incident at a Hispanic church on the near west side a few years ago.....as well as the Burke Plane Crash (with Paul Thomas) last year...and numerous storm coverage incidents --just to name a few!
She was always willing to help her fellow anchors and reporters. Romona scored an exclusive interview with the wife of fallen officer Derek Owens. Romona got back to the station quite late after her interview. Lydia knew she'd have to help Romona get the story ready for air so she made sure she had all of her assignments complete. Lydia worked closely with Romona when she got back and finished up the story so Romona could prep for the 11pm news.
AND as a parting gift for her crew, she and her family cooked a genuine Puerto Rican Feast fit for a king and queen which she catered for the night crew--consisted of beans and rice, chicken, collard greens, plantains, and so much more! She did not have to do that but she wanted to thank her co-workers and show them how much she appreciated them! Classy lady!
Lydia, as all of us do, has had many hardships and tragedies in her life over the years. Through them all, including the death of her sister, she gave her best, she gave her all, and even tried to teach the viewer something new or helpful. If her situation was health related, she'd offer useful information to our customers....and so forth.
She listened and had an amazing memory. Stories I told her about my family did not go on deaf ears. 'Surprise guest' at my last birthday party--she went around the room asking my family members questions about their lives stemming from the stories I told her. She was on the money with each question asked. My jaw dropped to the ground in disbelief that she remembered the smallest of details.
I really could go on and on and on......however, a few zany thoughts which will always be a part of Lydia's Legacy: her 'candid & blunt verbiage'....her wild hair when she just let it go......the amazing cookouts she and Scott Newell would throw for their weekend crews....and the infamous Popcorn Machine!
Thank you Lydia, for giving your all and being an exemplary co-worker and human being. It did not go unnoticed by your fellow colleagues and friends.
