I know it has been rare that you have seen one of my columns this summer. The every day hectic schedule and always on the go atmosphere of a newspaper seems to get the best of me sometimes. But I was not going to allow a busy schedule or lack of free time to keep me from writing a column this week.
Why you may ask?
Because today (Tuesday, Aug. 26) is the last day I get to work with a friend.
As many of you know by now Sarah Bloom, the brightest and most talented writer we have at the Times, is leaving us. Sarah has always had a passion to work with animals, she even studied for it in college. She has been doing that as a second job for the past three years and now she has a chance to do it a lot more.
I cannot blame her. One needs to follow their dreams when they can.
Some may say, well others have left the paper and it did not seem to disturb you too much. But for each, in my own way, I have hated to see them go. I understood the ones who went on to better themselves, for that is what we need to strive to do every day.
But with Sarah it is a little different.
I have known Sarah and her family since she was a little girl. I have watched her pick up her glove and bat for the first time in softball. I have seen her grow up, take part in Miss Powell County, play in the flag football game before Homecoming and I watched her graduate from PCHS.
Since then she has gone on to get married, have four boys, went through a lot in life (as we all do) and yet she has not changed much at all. Her demeanor is one of humbleness, kindness and a caring nature.
In the office she is the Yin to my Yang, so to speak. While I may have been more controversial, confrontational and go for the juggler type, Sarah was kinder, more understanding and more patient.
There were some who used to tell me, nay, warn me not to be a “bad influence on her.” They wanted to make sure she did not become jaded with the world and would remain the same sweet girl they have always known.
I tried, I really did try.
But as it goes, when you work with someone long enough they rub off on you. I have seen Sarah become bolder, she will stand up for herself, her friends and especially her family. She can quiet down a complainer pretty quickly if they try to get out of hand and still somehow be their friend when its all over. She has gained confidence in her abilities and has even been a very important part of what you see in this newspaper every week. I do listen to her suggestions and ideas.
But there is a flip side to the coin. Just as I may have rubbed off on her, so too has she rubbed off on me. I have noticed I take a more laid back approach to stories now days. I try to be more understanding, more caring and even more tolerant of those who criticize me and this paper even if they don’t have all their facts. Sarah has taught me that I can still do my job and be nice.
Thanks for that lesson my friend.
When I was about to make the decision seven years ago on whether or not to come back to the Times I did my homework. I wanted to know more about the structure of the paper under the owner. I wanted to know how the feeling was in the office and I wanted to make sure it would be a decision I would not regret.
When I found out that Sarah McKinney Bloom was the office manager, the decision was an easy one. I knew I could work with her and we would get along just fine. Well we did not get along “just fine.”
We got along like good friends and family do. We may disagree (very seldom) but at the end of the day we both put the needs of the other and this paper first and second (in that order). In fact I may not have took the job if it had not been for Sarah being here.
Now I have to say so long. Not good-bye, because that means you’re not coming back. She will still be in town and we will see each other at games, probably call each other to see how things are going and keep in touch. I hope she will write us some of those amazing columns.
But when someone you have depended on everyday for seven years or even more, even if it is just a co-worker, moves on a small part of you goes with them. It is a little harder when that person is more than a co-worker, they are a friend – a real friend.
I tip my hat and bow to you Sarah. You have done well at the task God gave you at this paper for a decade. You have touched lives and hearts with your columns. You have been a voice of reason in a sea of chaos. But most importantly you are a friend to a man who needed one in a job where friends are hard to come by.
I wish you all the best and I know you will stay in touch. I have worked with a lot of good and great people over the many years and many jobs I have held. But none of them, not one, can I ever say was the best at what they do. And that is just being you. Don’t ever change, the worlds needs more people like you.
I’m just saying . . .