The final farewell
So.
After more than two decades — most of which were with the Messenger — of writing columns and stories, it all comes down to this.
My very last column for the Greene County Messenger.
This is the third chapter of my final trilogy of columns, and in the previous two columns I wrote about my history here, my gratitude towards my co-workers and employers. And I have to admit, those were very difficult for me to write without being overcome with emotion.
But those were nothing compared to this.
It finally, really hit me today that my long tenure with this wonderful newspaper is coming to an end. I’ve packed up my office belongings, I said my goodbyes to the good folks I work with, I’ve wrapped up what loose ends I’ve had left to do before handing over my keys and awaiting my future.
But it didn’t really hit me until I sat down to write this, my final column. And as I sat here alone in my office and thought about what I was going to say in my “This Just In” column for the very last time, I have to admit, the tears started a’ flowing.
For 20 years — nearly half of my life — I shared my life with you readers. I poured my heart out as I talked about my family, my father, my wife, my son. I cried through my words talking about my medical issues, my wife’s pregnancy, my father’s passing, my faith, my worries and fears, my hopes and dreams.
I expressed my deepest thoughts through triumphs and tragedies, and shared many anecdotes that hopefully made you laugh, cry, shake your head in disbelief and, on occasion, think.
I shone spotlights on good people who deserved them. I encouraged you to pray for those suffering, to reach out to those in need of help. I cracked bad puns, invited you to laugh at some of life’s absurdities, and tried to provide helpful information about the many great things that happen in our neck o’ the woods.
I tried to do all of those things through my writing, with my own quirky sense of humor, sarcasm and sometimes with a little bit of attitude. And even though there were times it seemed as if I was poking fun at living in Greene County, I sincerely hope everyone who has ever read my columns knows that I love it here.
It admittedly took me a long time to realize it, but I am proud to be a Greene Countian. I have been blessed with getting to know so many incredible people who live here, who have helped me all throughout my years as Messenger editor. I am blessed because this is where my family lives and my closest friends live. It is here where I met my wonderful and amazing wife Crystal, it is here where we are raising our son Bryson.
And, it is here where I will begin the next exciting chapter of my life. I have accepted a position with the County of Greene as communications director, where I will continue to use my writing skills in a different way. I will be working with some pretty terrific people who will be focused on the same goal — to raise awareness about all of the great things that are constantly happening every day here.
This is the path that I truly believe God has put in front of me, and I am happy that I will be staying in Greene County and continuing to utilize my talents in a very positive way.
But anyway, back to this — my very last column for the Messenger. Because I cannot say goodbye here without thanking a few very special people who I haven’t previously mentioned.
Let’s start with Jane Adams, the GCM office manager who has been my partner in crime here for the past 14 years. Jane, you have been more than A co-worker … you have been my comrade in arms, my conscience, my “Dear Abby,” my “Other Mother Figure,” my dear, close friend.
We have shared personal tragedies and provided each other shoulders to cry on, we have shared too maNy belly laughs to count, we have watched each other’s children grow and you have put up with my many juvenile practical jokes.
And most importantly, you have been my ally in making the Messenger special and through your kind words and deeds you have bolstered my faith not only in God but in human nature.
I am going to miss working with you every day, and I wish nothing but the best for you, your family and your continued hard work and dedication to the Messenger.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. And I know that even though I’m leaving, the Messenger’s future is in great hands with you still in charge.
To current Messenger contributors Jon Stevens, Dave Zuchowski, Eric Rush, Ken Dufalla, Brett Spitznogle and Tracey Gardone (and also to all past contributors): It was an honor and a pleasure to have worked with you over the years. I sincerely thank you for all that you have done to help me and I wish nothing but continued success and happiness in your respective futures.
To my parents: Thank you for your never-ending support in my career, for teaching me morals and values that I strive everyday to pass on to my son. I hope I have made you proud. And to my brother and sister and other close family members, I thank you for your support as well.
To my wife and son: You two are the reason I breathe. I love you more than you could ever possibly know, and I believe that God was speaking to me when I wrote about you in my columns. Crystal, you have been with me through every moment — both good and bad — of my career here at the Messenger, and I know you know how difficult this decision was for me to leave.
But it is your undying support in me that has helped me take this exciting new path in life, and I know in my heart that your faith in me is going to encourage me to do the best job I possibly can in my next chapter.
And Bryson, from the very first time you took your very first breath you changed my life, you made me a much better person. And I will do everything I possibly can to make you proud of me — today, tomorrow and forever.
To God: I am forever humbled and awed at Your greatness, and I am eternally grateful for giving me the chance to do something that I love so dearly for so long. And I am thankful for the many wonderful memories here, as well as for the future opportunities that you are granting me. And most of all, I am thankful for the blessings of a wonderful family, wife, son and friends.
And finally, to the readers: Thank you. For your loyalty and support of the Messenger, for your words of encouragement, for your wonderful stories that you trusted me to tell, for your letters, emails, phone calls and visits to the office over the past two decades that inspired me, that forever changed me, that helped me realize that Greene County is a special place to live.
I tried my best to give you a weekly news publication to be proud of, and I thank you all for being a part of my long, eventful, wonderful ride.
So, farewell, Greene County Messenger. And thank you for being such a special part of my life. I will miss you greatly, I will always cherish you and I will never forget you.
And I cannot wait to see what you will do for your readers in the next 20 years, and beyond.