Purpose-full Passion

By IVY JACOBS

“Just Ask Me”

My last column was in August, but the only excuse is chaos. I have been caught up in a whirlwind of activity.

I even missed the beautiful wedding of my niece Marleah to Damean McLuer. What a wonderful family they are building together. I wish you both many blessings in the future.

So much chaos in my life; it feels like I lost time. New faces are a blur, but I want to welcome my new cohort here at The Times - fellow Co-Editor Nick Wilson and his darling little girls.

Nick has a passion for journalism and is chomping at the bit to get out in our community and meet new people. I know he will write stories that interest our readers and future generations looking back. I am so excited for him to become part of this community I love.

I remember starting this job more than 21 years ago, and honestly, I was scared to death that I would do something wrong. All these years later, with all my medical problems recently, I still feel that fear inside with each story I cover and start writing.

Each day is just a little scary but, at the same time, exhilarating.

I work with great people. I have a terrific family, two wonderful children to be proud of, and two wide-eyed grandchildren who are looking forward to the future. They will always have a place to call home, where they go, and what they endeavor to do.

A hometown is a place you call home, and for my family, it is Brazil. I am fortunate to record its history for the future and my family.

Being a journalist isn’t about the money. Trust me; if someone had told me in the 1980s I would be part of what is considered a dying industry, I would have gone to school for something else.

However, my passion for the job is the stories about the people I meet.

My hope for you, Nick, and Brazil’s future is that passion never dies.