It is with great regret that I must inform the readers I will no longer be reporting for The Press as of April 5.

However, the editor, Buzz Ball, has asked me to continue my weekly columns though my husband, Chris, and I are moving to Tulsa, Okla. I have to say, keeping this connection with my hometown is thrilling, even though leaving this position gives me an opposite feeling.

My husband, whom I did not meet on the Internet as some readers have misread, has been promoted in his flight career, and Tulsa is much better than Grand Rapids, Mich. (One of his other choices.)

In support of him and his dreams, I must go. Every job has its ups and downs, and this one definitely had more ups. It’s been an honor speaking with the people of Carthage, learning about them, and why they do the things they do. I’ve taken pictures of Carthage, its residents, babies and events of the community; and had a blast.

Walking down the hallways of the R-9 district’s schools was the best part. Meeting my former teachers again, only this time learning their first names. Seeing old art projects that were around when I was a kid hanging on the walls, and even witnessing some similar events I endured has been priceless.

The people I have met can attest to this. I’m real; what you see is what you get. I’m not going to pretend about anything, which means I say what I mean and mean what I say. If I have complimented you and something you’ve achieved, I’ve meant it. If I’ve visited with you for a feature story, I have genuinely been interested about your life.

Too many times, people are skeptical because there are just too many fake people out there. This forces the general public to not want to believe anyone is real. This is a modern tragedy, but I hope some people are able to see others for what they truly are.
And I have seen Carthage.

I’ve tasted the bitter sweetness of it all, and you know what? I still love it. I still love driving down Garrison Avenue and seeing all the beautiful trees. I still love walking into an athletic event and feeling that Tiger roaring energy. I still love meeting people who have just turned five, or 95. I could type for hours, and still not be able to explain how much this community means to me.

I felt the joy as football Tiger fans rushed the field after beating Webb City. I felt the pain when Hannah Smallwood passed away. I felt, and am feeling, the frustration of knowing there are parents out there who have let their kids take the fall for something they did wrong. I still feel appreciation from those I have written about, and I still feel the irritation of those who have hated my writing.

And I still love it all, and it’s because of you – the readers. Writing may be my passion, but without readers, what good are writers?

There are so many people I want to thank and express my gratitude for supporting me. You’ve all made this my dream job. And I’ll never forget it.

Dad, Mom, Andrew, Chris, Grandpa, Grandma, Grandma Watts, Matt and Denice, all my awesome cousins and family members, my classmates (especially 2003), MSSU, TR Hanrahan, Doug, Parker, Lex, Amye, Jessica, Cody, Hacker, David, Buzz, the rest of the wonderful staff of The Carthage Press, Tug and the rest of the clan at the golf course, the students, the teachers, the staff, the administration of the R-9 district, the Carthage veterans, caring parents of cool students I’ve met, everyone clear down to the anonymous online bashers … this one’s for you.

Thank you so much.