Column: Thank you to everyone who’s noticed my absence

I’ve been writing my column on and off (mostly off) recently due to a quite a few other duties I’ve had to take on since last March and June, and I apologize to my readers for that. Rest assured, I’m still here. I’m still living and covering the Estevan life, and I plan to continue doing so for many more years to come.

A few people reached out to me, commenting on my disappearance. To those of you who noticed, thank you! (and a special shout-out to NKP).

Writing this column is one of the most time-consuming parts of my week. It takes effort, but it’s a labour of love. I put a lot of thought and research into my pieces. Once the research is done, I pour my heart and soul into crafting most of them. Sometimes that process is reversed, and the emotions come first. What I mean is, I truly care about what I say, even if it doesn’t always come out exactly how I intended. (For that, I apologize – I'm still working on mastering my English).

I recognize that not everyone will enjoy my columns. Some of you may dislike them. My uncle, for one, has told me that my columns are "all emotion and no discipline," and because of that, he doesn’t have much interest in them. But whether you like my writing or not, agree with what I say, or don’t, I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading.

It’s important to clarify that I don’t treat my columns as statements of fact. I’m not trying to sway opinions or convince anyone to take my side. My goal is simply to share my perspectives – perspectives that, I admit, can sometimes be controversial – in the hope of sparking broader conversations.

I believe truth is born from dialogue. We don’t arrive at truth in isolation, but through the exchange of ideas, experiences and yes, disagreements. And I want to believe that the Mercury and SaskToday hold to the same principle.

That’s why we cover everything that happens in Estevan, to the best of our ability. We don’t just focus on the events that align with our opinions. Our readers – the people of Estevan and area – are what matter most. It’s your needs, worries, victories and interests that we prioritize. We let other media outlets worry about the provincial, federal or international issues. We’re here for you. Estevan is our plate, and we’ll focus on what’s right here in front of us.

Of course, sometimes I can’t resist diving into international issues or philosophical questions. I admit, those pieces are deeply personal. I believe that issues beyond Saskatchewan and Canada are as important for the community as local happenings. Those global stories shape us just as much as local news does.

With this “return” column, I want to extend my thanks once again to all of you who noticed my absence and missed my input. It’s hard to put into words just how much your interest means to me. Even though words are my job, sometimes they just aren’t enough. Whether you agree with me or not, the fact that you’re reading, that you sometimes give me feedback, and that you include my stories in your world – it’s invaluable to me.

The feedback I receive from readers is something I treasure. I welcome a good, respectful debate. It’s through that push and pull that we often discover new ways of seeing things. What I love most is when a piece I’ve written sparks a conversation, whether at your dinner table or on social media. It’s proof that my words have, in some small way, contributed to the community dialogue, and for me, that’s worth more than gold.

That being said, I recognize there’s always room to grow and improve. Estevan is a unique community, with a diverse population and many different perspectives. I want to make sure my columns reflect that diversity. I want to continue tackling the issues that matter most to you, whether they’re local, national or global. But for that to happen, I need your input.

So, I’m putting out a call for ideas: What topics would you like me to cover in future opinion pieces (or articles)? Are there local issues you feel don’t get enough attention? Perhaps there’s a community event or initiative that you believe deserves a spotlight. Or maybe you’d like to hear more of my thoughts on international matters. Whatever the case may be, I want to hear from you.

This column is, in many ways, a reflection of the Estevan community. Your voices matter, and I want them to be heard. So don’t hesitate to reach out, whether through social media, email, or even stopping me on the street. Your ideas, questions and feedback are what keep this column alive.

In the end, this column is not just about me sharing my thoughts. It’s about fostering conversation and connection. It’s about celebrating our community, tackling our challenges and exploring new ideas together. Thank you once again for your continued support. Let’s keep the dialogue going.