Nearly 11 years ago, I joined the Hollister Free Lance as a
columnist. I agonized over that first column, choosing every word
with extreme care. The position of columnist was not one I was
seeking, but when it was offered I felt I’d been given an
opportunity to expand and grow as a writer and a human being.
Scared to death, I jumped in with both feet. Within months, I
was writing four columns a week and loving it! My writing quickly
expanded outside the column to include a variety of news and
special interest stories.
Nearly 11 years ago, I joined the Hollister Free Lance as a columnist. I agonized over that first column, choosing every word with extreme care. The position of columnist was not one I was seeking, but when it was offered I felt I’d been given an opportunity to expand and grow as a writer and a human being.
Scared to death, I jumped in with both feet. Within months, I was writing four columns a week and loving it! My writing quickly expanded outside the column to include a variety of news and special interest stories.
I’ve survived many changes in staff and owners of the newspaper. With each changing of the guard, I met new people, learned new skills and was faced with new challenges. Eventually my column was cut back to one day a week. I continued to write other stories on a regular basis as well.
But all good things must come to an end and such is the case with my column. Due to circumstances outside my control, this will be my last column for the Free Lance. I leave with great affection for the people who first gave me that chance to write professionally and those who have supported me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without their constructive criticism, assistance and praise.
Writing a newspaper column has given me an amazing opportunity to take a closer look at the people who make up our community. Some were shy, while others were extremely willing to share special moments of their lives.
For example, there was 11-year-old Omar who dreamed of becoming an astronaut. The fact he was in a wheelchair never diminished his dream. I was lucky enough to accompany Omar, his wheelchair bound brother Jairo and their parents to the NASA facility in Mt. View. There the boys got to experience space camp and meet an astronaut who signed autographs and gave the boys real flight jackets. Staid reporter I am, I had to keep wiping my eyes on my sleeve and hoping my nose wasn’t too red from trying not to cry.
Pinkie McCann Willis shared her heroic story of rescuing 24 orphans from Sierre Leone, while war raged around them. For months, Pinkie and the orphans struggled with little food and water, while government officials waded through the mounds of paperwork. Once the orphans were safe, Pinkie headed back into the line of fire.
I’ve learned every person has a story uniquely their own. Not all of us will rescue children or go into space, but the choices we make count all the same. Being a writer opened the door for me to share the lives of others, if only for a short time. At the end of each interview, I felt as if I’d made a new friend.
Not all my columns were about others. Being a married mother of four and an avid animal lover gave me plenty of fodder for my writing. The biggest challenges, such as a sixth grade overnight field trip (what was I thinking?) gave me some of my funniest columns. It also gave me some leverage when all four were teenagers. How would my kids like their latest escapade to be tomorrow’s column? Ahh, parental bliss.
Writing enterprise stories gave me the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes. I was educated beyond my wildest expectations as I learned how various businesses run. These people were enthused about their career choices. I got to share in that enthusiasm.
I’ve learned a lot over the last decade of writing. I’ve seen firsthand that our community is made up of a group of truly interesting people, most of whom are kind and caring. I’ve been welcomed with open arms by people in all walks of life.
In turn, I’ve opened my heart and soul, sharing both joy and pain, hoping that somewhere along the line I helped others. My columns were designed to make people laugh, stretch their imaginations and remind us that for every negative story, there are hundreds of positive ones. After over 1,200 columns, I must say goodbye. Thank you for a wonderful ride! I have been truly blessed!
