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I wasn’t going to write my column this week. Sometime on Monday or Tuesday, I’d made the conscious decision not to write my column––it was even noted on my calendar and everything. When Wednesday rolled around, I realized that I was too busy to take a minute and write this, and I thought, “Eh, no one will even notice it’s not there.” 

But then Thursday came.

I’m a believer in God––precisely the Creator of the universe in which Jesus lived and died and rose. And I 100% believe that He works in ways that my meek human mind could never comprehend. He knew I was thinking about quitting my column in April when I move to Nashville. He knew I was “too tied up with life” to write this week. But then Thursday came along.

Let’s pause right here for a minute. 

With my wedding quickly approaching, a European honeymoon on the rosy horizon, and a new apartment lease waiting to be signed, I had a momentary breakdown a couple of weeks ago. I asked myself how I could snag a short-term job with a learning curve I could master quickly. Next thing you know, I’m waiting tables until I can start my next journalism job in May. 

So it was Thursday, and I was helping out at a table when the customer asked if I was that girl who wrote that column for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Obviously, with a flattered smile, I said yes and got to chat about our beloved little newspaper. 

I asked the lovely lady if she read my column, and she smiled and said, “Every time!” 

It was enchanting to be reminded that this column, despite my nonchalance sometimes, does not go unnoticed. I was charmed to be reminded that my journalistic career, despite its brief intermission, has not ended. Like the dramatic pause before the chorus of a song, there I stand in the silence, holding my breath, waiting until the thrust that pushes me further into the story––where I’ll hopefully continue to be my community’s storyteller. 

I’m excited for that day in May when I can, once again, strap on my press pass, pull out my recorder, and dig elbow-deep into a story. 

I thank God for those two customers on Thursday. They showed me something valuable, something I’d taken for granted. I’ll try to never again leave in the shadow of busyness my ability to share stories with readers like you. 

On that very Thursday that I was reminded of all this, I found out that the SC Press Association had given me three awards I’ll collect on April 4: one for food writing, one for profile feature writing, and one for investigative reporting. 

See how God works? 

To the friendly couple of whom I never got the names: thank you for your support and kindness. It went a long way. 

–Your storyteller.