Meg, I get that — it’s your name. But Unlimited?
After being a paid journalist for 25 years, it won’t surprise many that I’m still hooked and remain deeply respectful – and critical – of the imperfect craft I practiced. And fascinated by the titanic forces of change driving both intentional and unintentional shaping and re-shaping of the craft.
Being a poet for even longer, there will be poems, most of those have nothing to do with journalism, but with, in Emily Dickinson’s words, “the Culprit, – Life!”
Surgeons must be very careful
When they take the knife!
Underneath their fine incisions
Stirs the Culprit, – Life!
There are no limits to the paths that words can take and create. For we are, each of us, unlimited.
Meg Unlimited 
Meg: Hi!! It sure has been a long time, but believe me I have thought of you fondly many times across the years! Indeed, I credit you with why I’m still doing this thing we call career journalism – albeit in a far different place that 333 Main St. I now live in Prescott Valley, Az and just seven months ago became a Grammie – my youngest Joy – who you made sure arrived into the world safe and sound because her mother was too dumb to take care of herself properly, and then dammit you left – and her husband, Max, welcomed their first son, Leo. It’s quite the story – I’ll have to tell it to you sometime!!!
I happened to notice on my calendar it is National Bosses’ Week next week. Got me thinking about who I might want to honor – and you popped into my mind. You were so inspiring to me; you made me see myself in a whole different way and helped hone skills I would have said I didn’t possess! I owe you such a debt of gratitude.
Kevin and I will celebrate 32 years of marriage this year – my eldest, Noelle, was able to beat back teenage demons and now is a school psychologist and in love – she lives close now but expects to move somewhere far away next year. I’m trying to think about it. My Joy also lives in nearby Prescott, and is a middle school English teacher in a neighboring school district. Plus an awesome mom and wife. (I introduced her to a former colleague of mine – he’s now stay-at-home Dad). Love to say I helped that match happen!
Read some of your work – awesome as expected. Inspirational, again expected. Hope we can catch up sometime. Take care – you truly were somebody special in my life!!
Ah Nanci, you’d never guess how moved I was by this note what with me not replying for TWO MONTHS!! But unlike many folks during the time of Covid I am busier than ever. I remarried and live in the Northeast corner of Pa. The man I married — Chris Mele — is an editor at the New York Times, and is the custodial parent of his two sons. They have both graduated college but ended up back here with us, because, Covid! I run a website — delawarecurrents.org, a news magazine all about the Delaware River. My daughter, Rebecca, lives in Detroit and is studying for her doctorate in architecture at the University of Michigan. We have been planning to be careful and safe and it looks like she will be driving out to spend Christmas with us. Makes me SOOOO happy!! She, too, battled some serious demons in high school and our relationship was VERY rocky for quite a while, but now it is repaired and is one of the many miracles i am grateful for. I am so happy to have heard from you and I wish you and Kevin and your growing family a safe and happy Christmas. Thanks so much reaching out!!