Attitude of Gratitude

Writing for the Thanksgiving issue is one of the easiest tasks of the year for me. Whereas some weeks it’s tough to grab onto a subject that I think will be interesting to CV Weekly readers, the Thanksgiving holiday gives me a chance to share how grateful I am for all that I’ve experienced over the past year. And believe me, I welcome the opportunity.

Just as it is said that confession is good for the soul, the soul is also rejuvenated when time is taken to step back and reflect on the good and positive things we’ve encountered. For example, this past week after sharing thoughts and observations on the future of journalism, I received a boatload of positive comments and “atta, girl”s from readers. I appreciate these comments and love to hear from readers. So thank you for taking the time to drop a line.

I’d like to take a moment now to offer thanks for all that has been gifted to me.

Not surprising, I am grateful for my family. The Goldsworthys are a prolific bunch that seem to be all over the foothills. Some of us are facing challenges in health, finances and relationships, but even though we are facing these trials, we are doing it together and know that we can rely on each other for strength and guidance. For that, I am grateful.

I am grateful for my co-workers. They are some of the hardest working folks you could ever meet.

More than one person has said that Mary O’Keefe seems to be everywhere. She is probably the closest thing to omnipresent found on earth. And lucky for me, she likes being in the middle of just about everything and has the skill of telling you what it is that she has learned. In addition, she is kind and is my friend. For Mary, I am grateful.

That gratitude is extended to my writers who rarely say “no,” and are instead eager to cover stories that we think are pertinent to Crescenta Valley Weekly readers. For them, I am grateful.

The way the pages of this newspaper come together every week is a thing of beauty and evidence of a talent that I don’t possess. Over the years I have had some gifted designers leave their imprint on the CV Weekly. I am especially grateful to Ezra Padua and Ryan Kelly who raised the bar and to JR Martinez and Steve Hernandez who confidently built on that foundation bringing the Crescenta Valley Weekly to a level that fills me with pride. For them, I am grateful.

The CV Weekly was one of the first newspapers in the southland to introduce QR codes to readers and to offer a digital format of the paper. That was due to our tech wizard Charly Shelton who is always on the look out for new ways to bring technology to the paper. For Charly, I am grateful.

The stories are what brings readers back to the paper week after week, but it’s the advertisers that pay the bills. My sales reps Kim Mekelburg and Lisa Yeghiayan are the ones who let business owners know the wonderful opportunity the CV Weekly provides in getting the word out about their business. These women propel us forward and for them, I am grateful.

A picture can tell a story and Leonard Coutin is masterful at doing this. The photos he gives the CVW enhance the paper, providing the artwork that makes people cut out articles that will be remembered for a lifetime. For Leonard, I am grateful.

Weather watcher Sue Kilpatrick always has a sunny disposition regardless of the forecast and columnists Jim Chase and Mike Lawler provide insights into the Crescenta Valley from a perspective that we may otherwise be unaware. They meet their deadlines and add value to the Crescenta Valley Weekly and for them, I am grateful.

Overseeing our office and managing every aspect as Joann Catalano does keeps me sane. For Joann, I am grateful.

Finally, our subscribers are the ones who plunk down $1 a week to help ensure the success of the paper. For their faith and support, I am grateful.

To those I have not mentioned but are in my heart, I thank you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

  robin goldsworthy