I've noticed life has a way of kicking me in the butt when I'm wallowing in self-pity a little too much.

My husband's car broke down Monday, and yesterday we found out it needs major repairs to the tune of $2,400. We're lucky because paying that amount won't break us...but it sure doesn't feel good to part with that money, especially as we're scrambling to save for that elusive house.

The past couple of days have been inconvenient, and the next few will be kind of difficult as we juggle how to get me, DD and DH where we need to be with one car. There's lots of taking off early for me, and being late in general. Being torn away from your routine is always aggravating.

Then this morning I interviewed a family from Afghanistan. The father was biking to work last week when he was the victim of a hit-and-run driver. This man is comatose and clinging to life; the driver has yet to be found. The family, which includes four children ages 8 to 22, is keeping vigil at the hospital and trying to figure out how they will pay their household bills, much less hospital bills.

This job can be difficult and depressing. Even after 10 years as a reporter, it doesn't get any easier asking questions about situations that are so tragic, and witnessing pain that is so fresh and palpable. But this family wanted to talk. And I'm willing to grapple with a little discomfort if it means this story prompts witnesses to step forward, or people to donate to a fund established for the family.

The job is also humbling. It reminds me to be grateful for everything I have, and to take the public's trust seriously, even if the surveys say it's diminishing every day.

Then there are the many snarky remarks made by the right wing about how all journalists are bleeding heart liberals. To that I say, what else do you expect? We are exposed to so much suffering and need and greed and corruption. On our best days, we try and do something to rectify it.

Bleeding heart? Call me crazy, but that's never struck me as much of an insult. It's a label I don't mind being slapped with. To me, it describes someone who cares about the way other people live, who sees injustice in gross inequities. Someone who doesn't think of themself first in every situation, who tries hard to banish the "Me, me, me" tendencies that are all too common in society.

And should my daughter grow up to have a bleeding heart...I will be one proud mommy.

What do you all think? Is "bleeding heart" a true insult or a meaningless put-down? Do you have a bleeding heart? Should ALL mothers have them? Share your thoughts...