Today’s column is all about you – our readers. If you can’t tell, many of the Reporter columnists are friends. In fact, four of us – hopefully more in the future – now meet once a month to explore the world of writing. The Word Warriors are regular visitors to Debbie’s Daughters in Noblesville.
We’re always so touched when readers reach out to us. Whether it’s via email, a letter to the editor, or just stopping us on the street to say, “Hey, I know you! I read your column,” it absolutely makes our day.
Every fall, I remember two particular readers, Julie and Joan (pronounced JO-Ann.) This mother-daughter duo was the one who brought me back to the columnist world over eight years ago. I cannot thank them enough.
But there are others that I can’t forget. There’s Leah, who wrote me a beautiful note after I talked about my 35-year high school reunion. Marilyn and Carm, former co-workers who’ve reached out and told me that they discuss my columns. People talk about my columns? I was speechless to read that.
Tom wrote a fun letter to the editor 18 months ago about my “leftovers” column. I’ve featured some of his words as a testimony on my author website, authoramythornton.wordpress.com.
And so many of you reached out during my adoption and reunion series. One reader shared her story with me a couple of years ago and I was honored to read it. I’ll keep her name private just to be safe.
It’s funny … we write our columns week in and week out. We pour our hearts into them. We figure that maybe a couple of people read them. I think we’re always amazed when we realize it’s more than a couple.
Columnists write for many reasons, and columns fall into dozens of categories. My number one hope is that someone will read my column and realize they’re not alone with their struggles – that we can fight and overcome many of life’s battles.
My second hope is that I give people a laugh once in a while. Research shows that children laugh up to 300 times per day. Adults average around 18. We all need more laughter in our lives!
The world is a busy place. It’s sometimes hard for me to find the time to read my friends’ columns, but I do it faithfully every week. To realize that you take the time to read our columns in the midst of all you are juggling is humbling.
We couldn’t do what we do week in and week out without you all. Thank you, Readers, for letting us share our thoughts with you, sometimes taking them to heart, and sharing your thoughts with us. We couldn’t ask for more. As Tina Turner says, you are simply the best.
Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.