Year one is under wraps

Much of my first few weeks was spent learning my way around, learning the ropes and occasionally doubting myself and my abilities — what I imagine anyone’s first few weeks of a new job to be.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year, as I have since settled in and found my way. A year of highs and lows, the past 365 days have been full of both fun stories and stressful stories, as well as personal strides and stresses.

As anyone who knows me knows, the highlight of this year — scratch that — my life, was interviewing Brad Paisley before his show at the WVU Coliseum. While of course that was a huge milestone for my journalistic career, it was also a big moment for the teenage fan girl that still lives inside me.

I first developed a love for Brad’s music and personality early in high school, and standing next to the 5-foot-9 star for a photo was something I could only dream about. It’s still something that I slide into a conversation whenever possible.

Thanks to tickets to The Greenbrier, I also got to catch Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert in concert for the second and third time respectively. In addition to also seeing the great Sir Paul McCartney for the third time this year, I saw two other artists from my youth — Garth Brooks and Shania Twain — in comeback tours, both of which were incredible concerts.

Many sporting events have filled the last year as well, especially with the inaugural season of the West Virginia Black Bears so close by.

Of course, no year can go by with only great moments, and this past year was no exception.

Some of you may recall a column of mine earlier this summer when my 82-year-old grandmother with dementia was moved into a nursing home facility back home.

The week before the Fourth of July, I left my grandmother’s apartment, where she lived for as long as I can remember, for the final time. Last week, the keys were given to her landlord, and I’m left with no physical attachment to the street or town where I grew up. While some may say I still have the memories, visiting my grandmother only reminds me that even the memories don’t last forever.

However, even in those low times, I was lucky to have a good support system of family and friends, some of whom I would not have met had I not taken a leap of faith in moving to an unfamiliar town this time last year.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year, as the past 12 months has gone by very quickly, but I can’t wait to see what year two has in store.