One year ago, I wrote a column entitled “I want to change my corner of the world.” Those words seem to best describe why I love the newspaper business.
We all have dreams and visions of what we want to accomplish in life; a purpose that keeps us driven to wake up every day and push onward.
I grew up in the newspaper business. It’s all I’ve ever known. It didn’t take me long to realize that my vision of a “perfect life” was to continue telling the stories, of life’s happenings, in my own hometown.
One of the greatest rewards, about being in the newspaper business, is giving back to the community and keeping all the local citizens informed of what’s happening in their corner of the world; thus, my favorite saying of, “I want to change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.”
Newspapers are important; they give information, they educate people, they create jobs for people, they help improve the levels of literacy, and they offer some form of entertainment. I believe knowledge is power and the more informed citizens are about the world around them, the stronger they are.
Newspapers help bridge the gap between the public and government. Without the newspaper reporting about the local government happenings, the citizens would be left in the dark and the government agencies would remain oblivious to the wishes of their constituents.
We, as your newspaper family, also pride ourselves on telling the unique and inspiring stories of your friends and neighbors in your hometown. For, it is truly these stories that make us all family, not just citizens. When we hear of a family in need, we write that story, so that our community can come together to help others that need help. That is what family and friends are for!
So many times, we hear back from these families and how much the story had helped them through their trials, whether it was from financial donations or physical help. The fact that the story brought help, when they most needed it … is why I do what I do … I want to help change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.
I began writing my personal column, Emerald’s Gem Box, fourteen years ago, when I bought the Monticello News. I felt that a personal column would be a way the citizens of Jefferson County could get to know me better. Little did I know how much I would come to love writing a personal column. Columns are different than stories and articles; for it is here that I get to share my personal opinions. It is in this space that I get to share what’s on my heart.
My columns can usually be divided up into five categories: Jesus/God, my family, politics, work and motivational/moral values. Sometimes my categories blend together: my motivational columns usually derive from spiritual happiness and being grateful for all that I have been blessed with.
Some of my columns are light-hearted and others are straight to the point and very opinionated.
There are some times that I get telephone calls or comments from someone who disagrees with my column(s). Just a few weeks ago, a gentleman called our Riverbend News office to cancel his subscription. It seems he didn’t agree with my column “This IS about our Freedom” regarding President Biden and vaccine mandates. Not everyone shares my opinion and I understand that. We live in America and we are all allowed to hold our own views. But what I did find interesting was the week before that column, my column was about God. The week after that particular column was another column about Christian values and how we treat each other. However, he canceled his subscription to the newspaper because his political views were different than mine. It’s not that he was glad I was a Christian and tried to share God’s glory, he has decided I’m an awful person because I didn’t vote for the same man he did.
Those phone calls are few and far between, and my greatest blessings about writing my columns are the countless positive comments I receive. It always makes my heart happy when someone stops to tell me how much they enjoy reading my column.
A few weeks ago, I met a young man (in his 20’s) at an event I was covering. He told me he had begun subscribing to the Riverbend News when we first had founded it, back in 2020. He went on to say how much he enjoyed a column I had written entitled “15 Things God Won’t Ask You.” He had cut it out of the newspaper and still has it taped it to the dash of his truck, so that he reads it each and every day.
And this, this is why I do what I do … I want to help change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.
One lady once told me she had cut out my column about ‘praying for your enemies’ and had it hanging on her refrigerator, so that she would see it every day and stop and pray.
One lady asked me to post my column about “A woman was created differently on purpose” online so she could send it to her niece to read, who was struggling in different areas.
A few months ago, my column was “Respect for adults (and the lack of it).” I had a friend of mine text me to tell me how much he appreciated and liked it and I had a schoolteacher tell me she cut it out and hung it on her refrigerator
And these things, these are why I do what I do … I want to help change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.
So, thank you, our readers. For in all the examples mentioned above, it shows that you too, want to change the world … at least your corner of it. For those of you who are helping others in need, striving to become a better person and practicing showing more love for your neighbors … you ARE changing this world … at least your corner of it!