WRITING TODAY

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES

I spent a good portion of my time writing today, and it felt really nice. As part of my role in marketing and communications, a significant portion of my recent work has involved strategic planning, graphic design, and invoice management. 

I genuinely love what I do, and I appreciate nothing more than crossing items off my to-do list. But days like today, during which I return to my roots as a writer, remind me of why I entered this career field in the first place. 

The feature stories and press releases I craft are more than just informative pieces; they represent the best our region has to offer: dedicated professionals, trailblazing students, innovative thinkers, community collaborators, and more. 

I have been fortunate in my career to work with both elderly populations and young learners and to, enter K-12 classrooms and attend graduate-level events. As a mentor of mine once told me, education is a lifelong pursuit. 

That truth has never left me. Education, in all its forms, has shaped my path not just as a professional but as a person, helping me better understand people, systems, and the kind of world I want to help build.

When I sit down to write, I think about the stories that rarely make the headlines: the student who commutes over an hour each way to chase a dream, the staff member who stays late to help someone fill out a FAFSA form. These are the stories that matter. These are the people who make this work meaningful.

It is humbling to know that I get to play a small part in capturing that. Writing, for me, has always been about paying attention. It is how I show my appreciation to the people around me. It is how I express my gratitude for the life I get to live.

So yes, today felt really nice. Not because the words came easily but because they reminded me who I am: a storyteller from Shoulderblade, Kentucky, doing my best to uplift the people and places that made me.

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