The Journal Front's Backside

by Sara FergusonIt's been a long week here at the Journal, and, at press time, it is only Tuesday. Steve Oldfield, Editor and Publisher, is currently in St. Joseph hospital. A stroke Sunday night left him unable to return to his normal post on Monday morning. Currently, Steve's family is waiting by his side twenty-four-seven, trying to make sense of what has happened in such a short period of time.A quick update: as of Tuesday evening, Steve is responding to stimuli and his doctors are reportedly amazed at his progress. They state that Steve can understand what is being said to him and can tell his right from left. It is important to Steve, and to the rest of us at the Journal, that the people of Adrian and surrounding communities get relevant, up-to-date news, and so we are doing our best to bring it to you. The Journal office is rather busy this week, as many volunteers and I are trying frantically to do the work of Steve, his wife, Linda, and his mother-in-law, Lila. To fill the shoes of these three people, at least ten volunteers have been answering phones, typing and editing stories, designing the paper's layout and, of course, keeping the community updated on Steve's condition. I want to thank these volunteers, as well as all of you who have offered help, both here at the Journal and at the hospital with Steve and his family. Your prayers mean so much to Steve and his family, as well as to me.Steve's presence is not only missed at the Journal, but also in Adrian itself. I am sure that the employees of Wimfield's on Main, owned by Steve and Randy Wimsatt, have had to pick up the slack in the absence of both owners. Steve is actively involved in the Lion's Club, Vision 2007 and at the Adrian United Methodist Church, not to mention his diligent reporting of City Council meetings, school events, accidents and other news that matters to all of us. While Steve recovers, it is important that we, as a community, step up and try to take his place. You are doing a great job of this already, but it is easy to forget the needs of others when our own lives get busy. Please remember Steve and his family during this time, and the holes that need to be filled. Steve knows the ins and outs of this community and he instinctively knows when news needs to be covered. I'm going to require a little help in this area.In between hours of newspaper editing and design, I have stolen a few moments to think about Steve and his family, stuck in the hospital with nothing but their hope and faith to get them through. It is tempting to ask "Why?" when severe illness and other tragedies occur. I am not certain why bad things happen, and it would appear that no one is. I am, however, certain of our response to those in pain. I believe we should not give unfulfilling answers meant to make only ourselves feel better; we should think specifically about each circumstance and try to comfort accordingly. We need to remember to share with others in their grief, in their questioning and their doubts, but, most importantly, in their hope."Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up."--Anne Lamott