The great American poet Bob Dylan said it more than 50 years ago when he asked for people to come gather ‘round, where ever they roam.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’
This is a happy but also somber column because my professional partner-in-crime, Tracy, is moving on to better things and for that I’m happy.
But this also means that until we find someone who’s comparable (and I’m sure we will find someone very good), I’m going to have to pay attention to my schedule because I won’t have someone to remind me about when we have a staff meeting. And I won’t have anyone to distract while they’re on deadline with a story.
For almost seven years Tracy has been the heart of myFaith; she constantly pumped the life into this special, three-time-a-year publication. Without her, it wouldn’t be half the section it is today. In fact, the idea that she isn’t going to be around for the next issue terrifies me.
Tracy has devoted a lot of time and sleepless nights to this little newspaper and for that we all, as a staff, are grateful, and you, our readers, received a better product because of it. Yes, Brian and Maryangela are the top dogs and decision-makers at this paper (Tracy and I have called them “office mom” and “office dad” when they’re not around) but Tracy has been more of a friend than colleague, and during those weeks when I didn’t have my journalism mojo she totally had my back and took on extra work to get the paper out.
I know this change will be good for her and, hopefully, this opening will give another journalist an opportunity to be a reporter in this market.
Always a deep and compassionate thinker, Tracy made a decision that’s best for her and, as I keep telling myself, “She’s not dying; she’s not moving away.” We even made plans for a double date with our significant others.
The wheels of life spin for all of us and we don’t know what the future holds. Yes, it will be tough to replace her but, in the end, I feel like we’ll all win … for the times they are a changin’.
