Halcyon Days

It’s amazing how one day can change your sense of appreciation for what you have.
A co-worker of mine noted this week how she feels very fortunate now to have a relatively safe position of employment after reading about the reduction-in-force moves this week at one daily newspaper. I concurred, having just read the same details at another daily newspaper.
While it’s certainly not a premium gig and never will be, my job as a staff writer for a group of weekly newspapers is steady employment. In this economy, and especially in mass media, job security has become a priceless commodity. While you can never say never anymore, the fact is that I can wake up each day with fairly strong assurance I will have a paycheck coming every two weeks.
Earlier this week, I learned I took second place in feature writing in the North and East Texas Press Association competition.
It’s a nice achievement, and even nicer to know I’ll probably have a chance to shoot for first place next year.
I won’t, however, be so filled with accomplishment as to forget my colleagues let go from larger publications and facing uncertainties I don’t have at present.
I think a lot of us in the U.S.A. are gaining a renewed sense of appreciation for what we have, knowing how quickly now we could lose it. This week was one such reminder for me.