COLUMN: Small gifts are always the best

As we grow even older, we learn that some presents don’t arrive in boxes at all. Some don’t require wrapping paper or a colorful bow. Some special gifts don’t have to be placed in a colorful Christmas bag to make them special.

For me, gifts have arrived throughout the 2009 year in a variety of ways.

Some of my memorable gifts these past 12 months have included:

•The gift of friendship extended to me by the Brown family of Winder. I consider Steve, Brandie and Jessica my family in Winder, where I do not have any actual relatives. By welcoming me into their home on numerous occasions, they have shown me how much they understand the meaning of friendship. I appreciate them more than words could possibly say.

•My account on Facebook, which has allowed me to reconnect with so many childhood friends. Catching up with so many has been a true blessing for me. Seeing photos of my friends’ families, children and even vintage photos from back in our glory days, I feel like I am looking through a window into their lives. I don’t get to actually see them as often as I would like, but believe me when I say this is the next best thing.

•The gift of friendship shown by my co-worker Susan Mobley, who has helped this overwhelmed editor at times with any task I need. From trivial things like helping me program my cell phone (this 38-year-old is technologically challenged) to listening to my concerns about life and work, Susan and I have bonded as co-workers. I value her more than I could say as well.

•The reader who sends a note saying he or she appreciates what we are doing with our paper. This job is a grueling one at times. No one can really understand unless you’ve been in the newspaper business. The hours are long and the pay not so high, but when you know you are making a difference, it makes it all worth it. It’s about the high school football player’s mom who thanks you for an article you wrote about her son, it’s about a coach who says thanks for the coverage of his or her team, it’s about giving the readers a newspaper they have wanted locally for a long time. Rest assured we will continue our effort (and long hours) in 2010.

•We started our paper in October 2008. The same team which was in place remains on board now. That means a great deal to me. This paper is not about me, it’s about the team. To know everyone is still here with the same purpose in mind shows that we have a good working environment and that we are all on the same page in our goal of being the best choice for Barrow County.

•Finally, I dedicate this Christmas to the memory of my childhood friends who are no longer with us, but remain in my thoughts and my mind. A special quartet of friends from my youth is no longer here, but I remember them, treasure them and honor them often. Here’s to those great times we had as kids. I miss those times and I miss each of you.
Merry Christmas.

Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.