I don’t know how much of an “opinion” this column will be today, but regardless, I’m writing it with a joyous but also heavy heart.
On Wednesday June 18, 2008, Christina and I became proud parents to a baby girl we named Chase Taylor Yaniello. She was a whole six pounds, six ounces, and nineteen inches in length. I don’t think I’ve taken my eyes off of her since, and when I must, Chase is vividly in my heart and mind. She’s simply amazing.
Today, Chase is two weeks old and has gained seven ounces, along with a few centimeters in length. I can’t believe she’s been on this earth for two weeks already. People keep telling us how time will go by so fast, and I’m beginning to find that out for myself. I don’t want to miss a moment.
I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think she might be the first “Herald Baby” born by two Herald staffers working together during the same time. I don’t know if that amounts to anything, but to me, I think that’s pretty cool.
I’ve been out of the loop lately in terms of work, to the point where people have asked me if I still work there because of my lack of articles. Adjusting my life as a father, fiancé, and employee is quite new to me; all I want to do is get home and see Christina and Chase. I’m working on putting it all together, so bear with me.
Speaking of the Herald, that brings me to the heavy side of my heart. On the same day Christina and I welcomed Chase into this world, our Herald owner and publisher, George “Scoop” Sample III, endured the passing of his father, George R. Sample Jr.
The elder Sample was 84.
Scoop’s father had been a journalist and newspaper owner for over 60 years. The Sample’s are undoubtedly one of the greatest newspaper families in the country. The Sample News Group, created by Mr. Sample, owns two newspapers in Maine and five in Pennsylvania, including The Daily News in Huntingdon and The Daily Herald in Tyrone.
Mr. Sample was a great man, and his son has followed in his footsteps graciously.
I personally didn’t know Mr. Sample, but his son, Scoop, gave me an opportunity to work in the newspaper business again when no one else would even consider it. I complain about my job like everyone else does, but after I get it out of my system, I do realize how fortunate I am to work for such a man.
One man left this earth on June 18, and a wide-eyed little girl entered – no relations, no understanding, no connection – but I will always remember both. My wonderful day was somebody else’s worst, and that makes me want to love and protect Chase and Christina all the more.
No matter how long I work at the Herald, my family will always share something with the Sample family that I will never forget. Sometimes in the busy world of news reporting we forget that the most important things aren’t what’s printed in the paper, but what’s waiting for you when you come home.
I can only strive to be the type of man for my family that Mr. Sample was to his, but I’m eager to capture that responsibility and run with it – for Chase, Christina, and myself.
