Hundreds of wise people told me before my son was born that having a child would change my life forever.
On the surface, I knew what they were saying. Of course having a child changes things. There are diapers to change and bottles to prepare and days where the only sleep you seem to get is the rest that lingers in your imagination. But those changes aren’t what they were talking about.
Having a child changes who you are at your core. Your outlook on life changes. Your priorities change. Your heart softens. Everything that used to matter before becoming a parent doesn’t any longer.
Game 7 of the World Series? Nope. March Madness? Hardly. The Masters? A few more diapers and I’ll be there. A social life? Does sending photos to grandparents on Facebook count?
I wrote in a column on March 27 — our son Colton’s birthday — about how the previous 12 months impacted the lives of my wife, Jaclyn, and I.
For those that read it, if you’ll recall, I shared with you the journey I’ve taken since I’ve lived in Kinston. And what a journey it has been.
I have written all of that to write this: My time in Kinston has drawn to a close.
Sunday will be my last day as an employee of The Free Press, for I am taking over the sports department at my hometown newspaper in Lincolnton called the Lincoln Times-News.
(No, I’m not headed to California as columnist Jon Dawson sillily suggested in his column in Tuesday’s edition. What I said to him was, “Is there anything I can do for ya?” not “I’m moving to California.” He needs to trim the hair around his ears.)
Perhaps not in terms of the number of years, but I’ve grown up here. I fell in love in Kinston, got married, and became a father, all in a handful of years. I’ve also grown a few waist sizes.
Like Dorothy once said, there’s no place like home.
A few things I won’t miss about Kinston are the utility price gouging, the lack of restaurants that serve a good steak and those who don’t know what the purpose of a turn singal is on an automobile.
But those things aren’t what make a city a city. It’s the inhabitants — the good ol’ country folk — that make this place one of the best small towns in the U.S.
That’s what I will miss about Kinston the most — its people. Not the sports, not the job, but its people. You guys are some of the kindest, gentlest most caring people in the world.
You welcomed me, a Western North Carolina outsider, into your fold nearly five years ago like I had been here my entire life. You took me in, groomed me, and, whether you know it or not, had a large part in what has become of me today.
For that I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Kinston will always be known as a basketball city — a sports mecca. But to me, it will always be known as a great place to grow up.
I know it was for me.
Ryan Herman has been the sports editor of The Free Press since October 2008. He may be reached through Sunday at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com.