On The Radio Last Night

After I got home last night after the football was over, I went to my computer to check email. I put the radio on, and I realized it was close to midnight. I put on WPLJ radio here in New York and The Bill Ayres Show, which runs from midnight until 2 AM every Sunday night/Monday morning. Bill is an institution on New York radio, and he's been doing a radio show on WPLJ since 1973. His shows range on numerous topics, generally along the lines of helping people. Bill has also been the executive director of World Hunger Year, which was founded by the late Harry Chapin many years ago.

His topic last night really hit home. "Coping With The Loss of a Friend." Bill generally chats about about his weekly topic for a few minutes and opens up the phone lines for people to call in. Right after I heard the topic, I picked up the phone and called the station.

I was the third caller on, at about 12:25 AM. I was on for about five minutes, and I began by talking about the friends I lost many years ago, from things like suicide and drug abuse. But then I talked about the loss of my friend Joyce in the WTC. I talked about needing to find a way to express my grief, and how I turned to writing. Bill agreed with me that it was a great gift that was given to me, and how something positive could come out of something so horrible and tragic.

I also talked about those special friends who came into my life after her death, and how that was another incredible gift. Bill also shared a couple of his personal stories like mine, such as how he coped with the death of his good friend Harry Chapin, and how he got to know the sister of a friend of his who was murdered many years ago. At the end he thanked me for calling in and sharing my "wonderful story."

I spoke to Bill on his show some time ago, and it was a pleasure to be on his show again. He has a very calm voice and equally calm demeanor, which is rare on the radio these days. His show is always worth checking out, especially if you are up late on Sunday night.