How my first story set the tone for my first journalism job
Let’s both start by taking a big deep breath in, and letting it go. Do it again… and really LET IT GO. Alright, now let’s begin this post. What a week, what a month, what a year.
Last week I received some really tough news, twice, and haven’t given myself the time to fully comprehend it. On Wednesday I learned that a young man, by the name of Justin Mowery had passed away.
What’s special about his story is that it was the first one I’d ever done in Lufkin. I was nervous, wasn’t sure what to expect, and it was a story that needed to be told. Justin was 29, at the time, and was in hospice care with terminal brain cancer. The Dream Foundation reached out to grant a wish for him. Justin received a package filled with gifts and messages from heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.
It was an honor to tell his story and get to know him and his family more. As the months passed, we would have check-ins and I would run into his sister at a local restaurant. Everything seemed alright and then as life would have it, Justin lost his battle. I remember getting the text that night and just being angry at the world. Why now, in the middle of all of this? His family? Some of the most kind and caring people. Days have passed and I really don’t know how to feel. This isn’t about me, but it set the tone for how I wanted to step into the journalism world and I’ll never forget it.
Justin’s saying was “Make it happen.” The evening I got back from the interview I wrote it on a whiteboard in my kitchen so I could see it everyday. At the time I never knew the impact of the words, or Justin would have had on me. They were both immense.
I had days where I’d look at those words and feel them. I knew deep down, I was going to “make it happen” that day. There were others where I’ve been in tears and I just keep preaching, “Erin you’ve got to make it happen. Just make it happen. No matter what that may look like.” Those words and his story have gotten me through my most difficult days here and it’s really painful that Justin is no longer with us.
During the interview I remember him paying lots of attention to his parents and the items in the package. At one point he looked right into the camera and grinned. A small one, but nonetheless, he smiled. I really hope he knew how loved and cared for he was because he left a really big impact on me. One I never expected, and at such an important time.
A few days later I received word that another woman I’d done a story with had passed away. Another sweet story, Jackie Martin was a hospice patient and needed to re-home her 13 year-old collie, Skip. With the help of some incredible nurses and workers with Affinity Hospice, they were able to find him a new home. One that I like to think of as puppy paradise.
While this job can be really really tough, especially at a time like this, stories like these carry me through. It’s a privilege to meet these individuals, hear their stories, fears, and triumphs.
Here’s to hoping this week is alright and we can all find some strength and inspiration from those around us.