13
Blessings come in unlikely packages sometimes.
T
HE hurricane of 2018 turned out to be one of
those for us at Wrightsville Beach Magazine.
We as a team launched our hurricane
plan, which had each team member working
remotely. Due to the lingering storm, we had a sustained
power and internet outage in our office suite. When the
storm passed and recovery began, we gave up the office
location and took to collaborating at tekMountain
co-working space, on Sir Tyler Drive.
Fast forward to 2020. For everyone’s safety, tekMoun-tain
closed its physical space and shifted to a virtual
setting when the pandemic began. Our proven hurricane
plan, with a few modifications, became our working
emergency plan. And we just kept on going without
missing a beat.
Now, while I had nothing to do with the planning of
this month’s feature on home offices, I totally get it. I feel
that the corporate workspace is forever changed by what
we have gone through, and I encourage the home office.
The year 2020 was by far the most challenging of my
life. I never dreamed that just a few days in I would be
grounded by an injured wing assembly for the remainder
of the year. But, I can honestly say while it was in some
ways the most painful of times, it was also the best of
times for me.
This issue talks a bit about some things that are miss-ing,
like rooting for your favorite sports team. Still there
is much to look forward to: trying new recipes, appre-ciating
art, the Wrightsville Beach Elementary School
upfront
expansion, a jaunt to Charleston, South Carolina, and
the great hope a new year brings.
Adversity brings out the best in us. While in my
prayer closet with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I learned to laugh in all circumstances and how to
“be still.”
I am exceedingly grateful to all the people who
stepped up to help me with things I could not do for
myself, from carrying my workload, encouraging
me, holding my hand, dressing me, driving me, feeding me, picking up my meds, raking my yard, tending my grass, grocery
shopping, bringing me flowers, repairing bicycle tires, repairs to the generator, raising my storm shutters, and all those holding
me up in prayer.
I am humbled by your generosity and I sincerely thank you all. Also on this list are my physical and occupational therapists.
All of you are my heroes.
Wishing all of you a blessed and highly favored 2021, full of joy!!!
Pat Bradford and grandson Ethan in 2017, photographed in WB stand #12
by Allison Potter. Ethan participated in Jeremy Owens’s Ocean Rescue
Junior Lifeguard camp two memory-filled summers, 2017-2018.
Editor/Publisher
WBM FILE PHOTO
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM