NEWS4U DECEMBER 2021 | OPINION
WHEN LATE NIGHT THOUGHTS ARE
BOURNE
with Freddie Bourne
I WANT TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD OF YOU
took on the world in some capacity. Maybe you didn’t follow your dream or achieve some of the goals you set for yourself. But you made it through and continued on.
“Lol, I’m dead.” No - you’re actually alive and made it through
That's what this column has done for me. I left journalism
another year in the most uncertain time in our history.
seven years ago because I was afraid of not achieving a dream I had. I let doubt settle in for that long due to continuous
Typically, the first sentence of my monthly column suggests
apprehension in my brain - I was too out of touch with the
what the topic of this long, drawn-out soliloquy will be.
industry, not smart enough, and maybe not even a good writer.
However, I took the high road and simply found a way to attract your attention.
But, I kept going. Now, I get to do it for a living.
Good times.
This year taught me that I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, or even if there will be a tomorrow at all. The nonstop media
But, think about it. If you are reading this, it means that you
coverage of violence and COVID talk may have changed the
survived another year of probably one of the oddest times
sphere around us but it doesn’t have to make us stall.
that you will ever experience. With the exception of puberty, of course.
Many people have come up to me since I started this column in January - complimenting the content, thanking me for
I digress.
advice they have taken from it, or even critiquing it. I thank you
Despite the sarcasm and horrendous attempts at humor, I
just a person that wanted to follow their dream and find a way
want to say that I am proud of you. Sincerely and undoubtedly
to write again and bring more joy back into my life when I let
proud of you.
the dream drift off into space for awhile.
This isn’t going to be one of those sappy Instagram stories that
I am a person that kept moving - just like you - even on the
pops up, but rather an opportunity to highlight the fact that
days when I felt stagnant. For the New Year, I hope that I see
you never gave up no matter what was thrown at you. Every
someone “living the dream” who actually means it when they
day, whether you liked it not, you got up, took a few steps, and
say it.
52 | DECEMBER 2021
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
PHOTO: EMILY PELSTON
for all of it. I want to make clear that I am no one special. I am
