By Michael Stone I wrote this while alone in my radio station. It's early morning and I just went deep into the recesses of the station for a cup of coffee, and something struck me. I really enjoy that strangely lonely, quiet, but noisy, solitude that I get in a radio station.

I realize that this may sound strange, but having spent the better of my life wandering radio station halls, I became cognizant of a unique solace I get, while in the confines of these electrified buildings. There have been countless times over the years when I have been the only one in a radio station.

When I first started in radio as a teen it was inevitable; I would be on the overnight shift, on a weekend. Whenever the phone rang, chances are it was a tired, lonely soul in need of a comforting voice.

A recent event helped me realize how that simple fact of us being there, in the middle of the night, on an early morning with the sun just rising , or during a violent storm. Those moments of unique solitude in people's lives when that disembodied voice becomes a friend, a confidante of sorts.

Recently, I was forced to put down my dog, Shadow. He had been a faithful companion from puppydom through 17 long years. This traumatic event in my life revealed to me the extent of my and my listeners personal connection. My morning partner mentioned the facts on the air.

That quick mention touched off a firestorm of emails and calls from listeners expressing sympathy. The volume and the personal nature of the communications shocked me. I was completely overwhelmed.

These were not quick, hey sorry to hear about your dog, notes. They were well thought out attempts to communicate with me on an individual level. Some were so touching they brought me to tears all over again.

Never did I quite understand the depth of the personal connection I've been allowed to foster with this group of individuals we call the listeners, the audience. Grouping them together with little thought to the uniqueness of each person.

So as I wander these empty halls, that seem so quiet and so lonely sometimes, I'm reminded of a larger purpose, even mission, that I embarked on, unbeknownst to me, those 35 years ago. To communicate and treat all my fellow beings on the planet with respect.

So I guess the message here, is that this quiet place of solitude and reflection, isn't that quiet after all. These radio halls are filled with the countless voices reverberating through the air waves and ages communicating that little piece of humanness we all need.

Michael Stone
Radio personality
Singer-songwriter
---Observer---