HOT PURSUIT

It’s not unusual for me to walk away from doing a story and become emotionally touched or somehow connected to it.

While it’s human nature to experience emotions, journalists often remain neutral and not get themselves wrapped into the story they’re covering. But sometimes it’s hard, if not impossible.

Yes, grizzled and seasoned journalists like me even have a soft side to them.

A few weeks ago, in preparation for this week’s Good News Holiday Edition, I made a trip to Rose Cory-Vick’s residence in Medford. I couldn’t believe my eyes once I saw her Christmas village display in the family room. It was magnificent and added some much joy and festiveness to the holiday season. I probably paid a little closer attention because my late father also had a village collection, though definitely not as big and grand as Rose’s.

But it wasn’t the village itself that made this trip memorable for me. It’s what Rose shared with me regarding her 41-year collection. She shared things from her heart about what this display means to her, especially after losing two husbands during that time period.

I encourage you to check out this week’s Holiday Extra on B14 to learn more about Rose’s heartwarming story about the collection that will soon fade into memory.

Storytelling is the bedrock of newspapers. As journalists, we love to write stories and share them with readers. I hope you realize how blessed the Times is to have some incredible writers who are gifted at telling stories.

It may be easy to dismiss stories like Rose’s as something not so significant, but that’s far from the case. I work under the idea that every story I handle should be treated as it is the biggest story of my career. I never want anyone to have the impression that little stories are not important. They are incredibly important, and that’s what makes community journalism relevant to the communities we serve.

I wasn’t necessarily prepared for what happened after I left Rose’s house. I received a call the next morning from Rose letting me know just exactly how she felt about me doing a story on her. Usually it happens where someone isn’t real thrilled about us doing coverage on a certain topic.

“It was really special,” Rose told me about featuring her story. “It made me feel like I was important.”

She shared how she spent the past several years as a caregiver to her late husband who suffered from COPD. “You kind of lose yourself and you lose your footing,” she said. “Having you do this story is that magic Christmas moment for me. I felt good all day. It was an all-around nice day to share something nice that’s important to me.”

Rose said she has lost so many loved ones over the years that are extraordinary to her. She added through me doing a story, she can share her Christmas story with so many others.

Of the village collection that includes 403 pieces (600 if you count the trees), Rose said: “It’s something so significant to me and it represented something in my life from the first piece to the last piece I purchased myself. It has been my life journey through 41 Christmases.”

She plans to end the village after this holiday season. And it won’t be easy for Rose. “All the joy you had is kind of sobering. It's like shutting the family album.”

But she takes great joy in knowing that all the memories she’s experienced will live on in her heart forever.

In the craziness of the news business, it’s easy to lose sight of the impact we have on people that we encounter. This was a good reminder for me.

I hope everyone goes in hot pursuit to find their own Christmas magic like Rose has experienced for the past four decades through her village collection.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!