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As the election draws
near, I am reminded of my first day of work at The Calhoun Chronicle two
years ago. My first day on the job was election day, 2002. Life has been
interesting since that first day, for sure.
I’ve learned about
Calhoun
County
since then, the politics, the people, the places and faces--and I am
still learning. I will say that it was easier to be a reporter when
everyone was a stranger. But every day I meet someone new and, most
often, interesting. Each day, there is a new challenge still.
When I
started this job, you, dear readers, were strangers; imagined faces in
my mind. Honestly, I did not know if anyone other than my mother even
read this column. I worked to get a paycheck, simply to “do my job” and
go home.
Ah yes, the job was much
easier then.
In two years, I have
cried with a mother who lost her child, prayed with politicians, seen
photographs of a gruesome double homicide crime scene. I fought “city
hall” and won. I am angered by injustices to others, and I am sometimes
scared by the unseen powers around me when I suddenly realize I am in
way over my head. I get misty at every
Heartwood
performance--just because they make me feel so good.
The best
feelings, however, come when unknown readers contact me to tell me how
much they have enjoyed reading what I have written. In life, people need
validation. We all need to know we are appreciated. Mayors,
commissioners, volunteers, reporters-- we all need to know someone is
interested. Those paychecks may come on a regular basis--but what people
really need is validation.
My
validation, dear readers, comes from you.
At first,
validation came when subjects of my articles, angry, took issue with my
words.
“That’s validation?” You
may ask. My answer is yes, for even if they didn’t like what they read,
at least they read it. It is far better to be argued than ignored.
My first fan
letter came from
Judy
Wolfram.
That letter was better than a bouquet of roses, and still hangs in a
place of distinction above my desk.
Within a
year, people began telling me, “I read your column every week.” Those
words may not buy groceries, but they keep me full for days. Sometimes,
strangers just yell at me from afar. “Hey! You’re right about
television!”
Other times,
people stop me on the street. “Are you
Lisa
Minney?”
“Yes,” I reply, a bit nervous. “Good job,” they say before walking on
by.
Once, after
writing about my love for cucumbers, I discovered a box of baby cukes in
my truck when I left work to go home. I never have known who to thank.
The greatest
compliments come when someone calls me needing help. When people ask me
for help, it reflects trust. Trust is one of the greatest compliments
possible.
So, this
week, to mark my two-year anniversary, I would like to thank our
readers. Thank you for your arguments, your discussions, your
compliments, your phone calls, letters and emails. Thank you for your
trust.
And most of
all, thank you for reading!
Now, go vote.
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