BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY By Eric Hazelwood

In 1978, George Benson, Grammy winning singer, wrote a song entitled, “Everything Must Change”. This song spoke about, in time, everything changing and nothing remaining the same, over time. This tune was my high school graduation song and has always held a special meaning to me and for me. Over the years, I have changed tremendously as well as many of my readers. Year after year holidays go by, birthdays in particular always seem to bring us joy. Christmas and anniversaries put a smile on all of our faces. Which brings us to the big 9 year birthday that this paper, One Step Away, will be celebrating on December 15. This publication will be 9 years old. It is hard to believe that this writer has been with this newspaper since 2011. There was a time where because of my drug and alcohol abuse, which resulted in my homelessness by the way, I couldn’t keep a job for three months. I remember times when I couldn’t even make it to a job interview, let alone a job because of my addictive tendencies. A problem always permeated my existence as a result of my abuse of things and yet here I am still working for this newspaper seven years later and about to receive a promotion to Vendor Representative. Everything must change. Nothing remains the same. Which brings us to the transformation that this publication is trying to put forth. The transformation to a magazine rather than a newspaper. This transformation, in the opinion of this writer, is a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved. From the vendors to all of our much appreciated customers, this is a wonderful opportunity for everyone. There is a cliché which states, “That if nothing changes, then nothing changes.” I believe that and look forward to riding the wave of change, and possibly success, of this publication in the near future. I have already felt the success of this change and we have not published our first magazine yet by being promoted, hired from within and from the status of vendor to Vendor Representative. Thanks Emily and Jim. My transformation from homelessness, to finally having a roof over my head was a difficult but needed one. My transformation from vendor to this new position is a challenging one. My transformation from addict to addict in recovery is a lifelong one. Everything must change, nothing remains the same. Happy Birthday One Step Away. Congratulations on 9 years of success and here’s to many more years of the same.