An Open Thank-You Note….
I’ve been on the road the last few days seeing part of the country I’ve never seen before and have been so pleasantly surprised. I will probably post more on that in the next couple of days.
However, the reason for this post is short but sweet.
Since I left WNBC the amount of love and loyalty that has been sent my way from all of you has been almost incomprehensible to me. Whether it has been in response to posts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter your words have often moved me in many ways. The response to this blog has been more than I expected and your kind words, interest and genuine appreciation has meant more to me than you can know.
With this blog I hope to let you know.
Often the words and comments are centered around how much you miss me being part of your routine in the mornings. I certainly understand there’s a comfort in familiarity and consistency. I’ve always felt early morning viewers are the most loyal. We awake in the morning everyday and are rather vulnerable to the world around us. Outside of our partners or immediate family living in the home with us, we generally don’t have to or want to start inviting people into our home before we’ve showered, shaved and gotten rid of the bedhead look. Maybe that’s me Im talking about, but I have a feeling that applies to many of you reading this right now.
Whether you turned on the TV at 4AM, 5 or 6AM, if you turned to WNBC and Today in NY, most mornings it was this guy giving you your daily weather forecast.
As I move forward in my next journeys in life(many of which are probably still unknown to me), I want to pause one more time to express my gratitude to all of you who have watched loyally, occasionally or maybe just during big weather days.
I’ve expressed to many friends the way this post-WNBC period feels like. You know when we go to wakes, funerals or memorial services you often hear people speaking highly or proudly of the deceased. Unfortunately, usually the person who is no longer with us never heard those words either spoken to them or about them while they were alive.
However, the fact that I am deceased from my job at WNBC does not prevent me from hearing such wonderful accolades. With todays world of social media I can see what everyone is feeling now that I’m gone. Some of the responses have been so personal. I honestly have to say I had no idea while I was doing my job day to day just how much it meant to many of you.
While I always felt it was a privilege to serve the public, I really guess I didn’t have a grasp of the connection that was being created between viewers and myself. With some of you, I was aware, as over the years we either met in person or through social media. Many I’ve just learned of through your responses to my end at WNBC.
So it’s like I died, but I got to hear the good stuff. It might sound silly or strange, but being on the receiving end, I have to tell you I’m so blown away. It has truly made waking up at 2AM all those years feel much more worth it. We are paid well to perform our craft, but it is still you, the audience, that are all collectively our bosses. Judging by many of your sweet kind words, I managed to get some of you to like me.
I don’t know what’s next. I’m working on this blog. A podcast is in the works and should be out shortly. I’ve thought about writing a book(tediously time consuming). I would love to do something in the broadcasting world involving travel, host a show, be creative. I don’t know if I will show up in the daily grind of local TV weather again, but I do know I’m not done. Maybe I’ll save the book for when I REALLY retire.
All of that being said, it has been your supportive and powerful words I’ve had the honor of reading over the nearly past three months that help me get through each day and get me more excited about the next one. I hope you come along with me wherever it is I go. I will ALWAYS do the best for all of you as you have all become extended family in my heart and soul. Thank you all!!!! More travel blogs and fun stuff is ahead.
Please feel free to comment and give me suggestions about what you would like to see me do or try. After all, some of this journey is in your hands too. I live to keep my people happy.
Once again, if you’ve come this far……. thank you and sunshine always!!!