I really enjoy trying to be an editor of a small town newspaper.

Although I was born into this 112-year-old business, I never had any formal newspaper training. I was always in retail business, but back in the 70s, it came my lot to own this family newspaper. It will work the stew out of you, but it doesn't take too long for it to get into your blood. It becomes a part of you as it does this community.

I love to try and get out another edition each week, and as my "first wife" has said, it gets to be consuming.

One thing I've found, very little happens inside the office. With a few exceptions, you have to ask, beg and work hard for news.

In the past few months, my priorities have been changed drastically. I almost lost the love of my life, my first wife of over 54 years. We married really young, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

As my late friend Joe would say, "God is good, all the time." Our Lord saw fit to answer thousands upon thousands of prayers for Betty Jo. She is getting better day by day. She is even coming back to help us once in awhile at the newspaper.

My baby daughter went through a trying time with her heart, and got it zapped for the sixth time recently, and she is doing better.

I thought things were getting better, and back to normal - got my wife on the road to recovery, hadn't been shot at or whopped up on in awhile; then we got it right between the eyes. Tammy went for a checkup, and the doctor found a tumor. He sent her to one of my friend's son-in-law, a doctor in Tallahassee. He cut her like we used to butcher hogs and took out nearly as much as he left in.

As the doctor said after more than three hours of surgery, "I've got good news and bad news."

The good news was that he thought he got out everything he needed to. The bad news, it was ovarian cancer.

Cancer is a diagnosis that will run chills up a strong person's back. I know, since I've heard it several times. That is nothing compared to what it feels like when the surgeon tells you that he found it in your child.

Tammy is one of the strongest, Christian young women I know. She is mine, but must get most of the good attributes from her mother. I've never known her to drink, curse or be ugly to anyone. She has a deep faith in God and tries to love everyone.

I've heard it a thousand times, "Life isn't fair."

I always agree and ask, "Who said it was supposed to be?"

I believe I can truly say that I don't love one of our children any better than the other. They are as different as most siblings. Donna has been gone from home since she left and graduated from college. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for her and hers, and she knows it. If I will go through Atlanta to go visit her and our grandson Mason, there is a great love for them. They are so special.

Tammy and Kent and their children, Garrett and Joanna, have lived here all of their lives. They have worked with us most of their lives and still do, except Kent, who works in Donalsonville and loves it.

Tammy is our first born, works with us, goes to the same church and has been my walking partner for the past few years.

I've asked our friends and everyone to please keep her in your prayers. We all know prayer is the strongest, best thing you can do for anyone. We need them, always.

We also need to pray for those who lead us from the highest to the lowest. This nation is in trouble as is our state, our county and our city.

When we think things can't get much worse, they can. Look around and you can see so many in worse shape and condition than we are. In fact, if we look really close we need to thank Him for blessing us with what we have, what we've had and what may come.

It's not how long you've been here, but what you've done while you were here.

God is good all the time! All the time, God is good.