Editor’s note: Dr. Shaffer wrote this touching column before he was aware of the sale of the Tri-County Reporter to Bryson and Ashley Burtnett of Springtown, who plan to transition that newspaper back to the former Azle News and Springtown Epigraph.
Although we first met as early as 1981, our friendship truly began in 1985. During that initial year, we met weekly, and I learned much about the history and current activities of my friend. He opened the door to the community, welcoming me to the Azle area.
By 1991, our bond had grown stronger. When my wife, Daniele, and I decided to move to Germany, I remarked, “I wonder if my friend would be able to visit us.” At that time, phone calls between the U.S. and Germany cost about $1 a minute, and the idea of a video call was still a cartoon fantasy, something only seen in shows like “The Jetsons.” To our surprise, our friend promised to visit us in Germany, and he kept that promise. In fact, he regularly came, filling us in on the community we loved and knew would be our future home.
Our family of four moved back to Azle in 1995. Our boys began at Silver Creek Elementary and attended Azle ISD schools through their graduations from Azle High School. My friend was present for many of our boys’ activities and also took an interest in the outreach of our ministry. His reliability always stood out, and I even had the honor of contributing a bit to his work over the last five years.
A couple of weeks ago, I learned that my friend needed to leave primarily for financial reasons, a decision that, while understandable, fills me with sadness. This friend was dependable and the best source of information on what was happening in our area. His updates were consistently supportive and free of slanted opinions, a refreshing departure from many online posts.
Although I want what is best for him, I find myself battling a sense of loss. Questions fill my mind, such as, “Are you sure you have to leave? What about all your friends who value you? If money is the issue, what if we could explore other options for supporting you? Would you rather stay?” These are deeply personal questions, perhaps ones I shouldn’t ask so publicly.
This past week, during the social hour at the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, the topic of our friend’s departure came up repeatedly. Of course, never one to miss a local event, our friend was right in the middle of it all. I realized that many others were thinking along the same lines. Earnest remarks like “Our community needs him” were shared, and one person bluntly surmised, “This really stinks!” Sadness was the common emotion about this topic at an otherwise joyous event.
If it really is time for our friend, “The Tri-County Reporter,” to leave, then I choose to focus my attention away from sorrow and toward gratitude and hope. A.A. Milne’s classic “Winniethe- Pooh” reminds me, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Fortunately, most of the tremendous editors the paper has had over the years and its current team remain actively involved in the community.
Our hometown newspaper has been with us every week through our highs and lows – always encouraging, supporting and keeping us informed with unvarnished truth. Social media, though helpful, is not an adequate substitute.
I can hear Shakespeare’s timeless line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” with its bittersweet tone capturing the deep desire for reunion. For someone or a group to assume the financial responsibility of keeping our friend in town is a big undertaking. I imagine the odds are low, but in a close-knit, supportive community like ours, I would never rule it out.
C.S. Lewis is attributed with saying, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
Thank you, “Tri-County Reporter,” for faithfully knowing and caring about our community and for reminding us over decades why we love it here.
