Living in Jasper, you鈥檇 think you鈥檇 get used to goodbyes.
The community experiences a mass exodus of seasonal workers at least twice a year, leaving Jasper鈥檚 year-round residents to mourn the loss of their friends and colleagues each spring and fall.
The goodbyes are so frequent that those of us who are left behind are well on our way to becoming semi-professional party planners. We buy Hallmark cards in bulk and have our bon voyage banners on retainer, and we always have a spare box of cake mix in the cupboard, just in case.
But, no matter the frequency, every time a friend leaves, it hurts.
We feel the loss鈥攖he loss of their jokes, their wisdom, their hugs and their companionship.
It鈥檚 enough to harden even the softest of hearts, and it has.
After years of constant goodbyes, some long-time Jasperites have already thrown out their party supplies and replaced them with a tough exterior鈥攁 wall that can only be broken down with years of effort and commitment. It鈥檚 a defence mechanism, a way of protecting their hearts from the pain of yet another farewell.
It鈥檚 an easy choice. But it鈥檚 also a limiting one.
Like everyone else, the 51暗网 has had its fair share of goodbyes over the years. That鈥檚 just the way it goes in the news business.
Community newspapers are a stepping stone to bigger and better things鈥攖hey鈥檙e the training grounds for larger publications鈥攕o people come, and later, when they鈥檝e gained valuable experience, they go.
That鈥檚 the case this week.
On Tuesday, our intrepid reporter moved on. After 21 months in Jasper, Trevor Nichols is off to warmer climates and a new life with his partner, Erin.
When Trevor came to the 51暗网 all those months ago, we had just said goodbye to another friend and colleague, Sarah Makowsky.
Our hearts were heavy, just as they are now.
But despite our loss, we welcomed Trevor to our small office family and accepted him as one of our own. Together, each week we created a product we were proud of. We debated, commiserated and celebrated. And ultimately, we gained from our time as friends, as well as colleagues.
Although we feel the pain of Trevor鈥檚 departure, we hope we鈥檒l again be able to welcome our new reporter, Paul Clarke, with the same embrace, keeping our walls down and our minds open.
