A New Chapter

Explaining my job to visiting Cub Scouts.

There are many different analogies used to describe change in one’s life: coming to a fork in the road; closing one door and opening another; and beginning a new chapter, to name a few.  To me, the first two metaphors imply something irrevocable, along with the idea of a complete separation from the previous lifestyle.  I prefer to think of my life as a book, composed of a series of chapters.  Although every chapter ends, each one has an effect on the rest of the book.   The thoughts, ideas and characters from those previous paragraphs remain, influencing the story to the very end. 

Today a chapter of my life concluded, as I worked my last day at the newspaper office.  

I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since junior high, but never once did I have a desire to be a journalist.  At least not until January of 2002, when Pauli contacted me about becoming the editor of my small town’s paper.  Basically, that meant that my staff of… well… me… would do it all – reporting, photography, writing, layout, et cetera.  I remember the night she called.  I had grandkids staying with me, and answered the phone with a dirty diaper in my other hand.  As she spoke of the opportunity to me – who had not even so much as taken a high school journalism class or been on the school newspaper staff – the main thing I heard was that I would have the opportunity to write.

With a little fear and trepidation, I took the job.  I found myself enjoying much of it; other aspects of it, not so much.  Several years later, I gave it up.  But in September 2008, I found myself working for Pauli once again as a member of the fourth estate.  The circumstances were a little different the second time, as my town’s paper had dissolved.  My new job was to help out as a staff member for a slightly larger town’s paper.  I primarily did typing and layout, although I wrote small articles and press releases, and the occasional feature story.  I was also the one who gathered the news from the local schools, made up the community calendar and things of that nature.  I liked the creative part of the job, but I am the type of person who cringes at criticism; I don’t like having to pull news out of people; and sometimes it was stressful to try and remember which things were happening when and where.  To top it off, I was also working at Walmart.  Something had to give.

Since Walmart offers insurance, stock options and similar benefits, my choice was pretty clear.  Yet, it was a bittersweet decision – Pauli and Norma have become my family over the years.  We have shared hopes, fears and heartaches, along with everyday laughter and camaraderie.  I have eaten delicious meals provided by Norma’s mom, Edith. 

As a new chapter of my life begins, I know that the part of my story that was written in the newspaper office will continue.  There will be twists, turns and new plots, but the rest of my life’s book will be touched by the people who believed in me, and gave me a chance to write.