When we started working on this magazine project seven years ago next month, one of the first promises we made to you, the reader, was that we were going to celebrate Arlington and the surrounding area, highlighting the many positives this region has to offer.
Back then, we had plenty to laud, mind you – and that was before the Entertainment District enhancements of Globe Life Field and Texas Live!, before downtown boomed and before our university and health care centers evolved from stellar local enterprises to institutions that set national standards. Given what has transpired in a little over half a decade, the veritable party never ends for us here at Arlington Today.
Still, for most of us, the “icing on the cake,” as it were, always manifested in the interaction with our readers, either in person or via phone calls, e-messages and Old School notes. You telling us that you appreciated what we were doing made us appreciate the wonderful blessing of getting to do it.
Last month, though, produced a whole other level of supportive communication. Shortly on the heels of what will likely forever be known as our “Coronavirus Issue,” we received more positive feedback than during any period of our happy run. Dozens of calls came in, as did dozens more emails and letters. Because we couldn’t go anywhere, we couldn’t chronicle in-person expressions of thanks, but I know many of you would have expressed that had you had the opportunity to do so. Why do I know that? Because you folks are among the more gracious and positive human beings on the planet.
I’ll say it once more: Serving you is a blessing.
I’ll say this, as well: Because of the remarkable bond we share in this community, the past month and a half, while harrowing beyond most of our imaginations, has been marked, not so much by the looming challenge, but by the ways you’ve shown how it can be overcome. Many of you took the figurative lemons and created a batch of lemonade that was served to those on the front lines of the battle and those who might not get to eat without help and those who simply needed a smile or virtual hug – and received both.
Seven years ago, I had a feeling I was going to love this new job that came my way. I was right. So, please, let me be the one to say “thanks.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t note here something special that Arlington Today recently introduced: our enhanced website, arlingtontoday.com. It has been redesigned to make the bond mentioned above even stronger – by incorporating more interaction and integration of our social media platforms – and I heartily encourage you to check it out … YY
