Just a little over a year ago my path crossed with Manchester Patch and its notorious editor, David Moran (no relation, but he has pretty cool last name). I had begun to trek online to read news items about Manchester and was excited by the potential of an online news source specifically designed to keep members of the community informed. The Hartford Courant, in my opinion, was less than satisfactory in this area and Patch was offering an array of news items that kept us all in the loop.

Even more provoking was when, said editor, Mr. Moran, asked me if I would consider writing a weekly column. Flattered to be even considered for such a role, I took to the task with a great sense of pride and devoted myself to sharing the positives of Manchester. The column was aptly called “Look On the Bright Side.” I had just one hope: to fulfill that title and bring a little bit of optimism into the lives of my readers about their home town.

To have the opportunity to share one’s opinions publicly is both an honor and a responsibility. This column would be an extremely valuable resource and one which I hoped never to misuse. I pledged to seek honesty and truth in anything I wrote. I pledged to try to bring new insights to questions that lay before the community and to seek ways to build relationships, never to tear them down.

I think, for the most part, I was successful on that front. If not, and I have offended anyone, please accept my sincerest apologies.

But one year later I am finding it more difficult to write a piece each week that reflects the same honesty and truth I initially sought. I am finding myself deliberately avoiding hot topics because they are politically charged. Though I will vehemently defend my right as a concerned citizen to speak my mind on various issues I worry about the value of doing so publicly each week when my husband sits on the Board of Directors as the Deputy Mayor. And more importantly, I am concerned about breaking my self professed rule of “building relationships.”

Writing “Love Thy Neighbor?” and “Schools Facility Debacle Must Be Solved Together,” are two pieces that depicted my utterly honest feelings, but left me feeling vulnerable to those who felt differently. Both were risky but they drew in readers. Controversary can be good, and is often healthy, but not for its own sake. It’s a road I prefer not to travel for the want of good readership.

Many of my columns were more personal and are pieces of which I am proud. Both  “For the Love of Baseball, and My Son,” and “College Bound,” collected some wonderful notes of  praise and like understanding in my inbox. While “Manchester Unifies Over Tragic Death of Youth,” captured the sentiment of a community grieving. These also involved risk, as I shared pieces of myself. The reward, however, was in knowing that I was somehow able to reach others with my words. This is a writer's true compensation.

As I look over the past year of writing for Manchester Patch I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity imparted to me. Though ambivalent about doing so, I know it is now time for me to step back and focus more attention on other areas of my life. 

Patch has been a wonderful source of Manchester voices and phenomenal in keeping the citizens of Manchester informed about our town. I am proud to have been just a small part of that.

Thank you, Manchester! Thank you, Mr. David Moran!  Thank you Patch!