Good News Roundup: Thankful for New Mexico and its good news

When I was in elementary school, I often stared at the New Mexico state flag on the wall, studying seemingly every inch of that bright yellow banner that was interrupted by the deep red tones of the Zia symbol.

I would ask myself, “What does it mean to be a New Mexican?” The usual answers would then spring to mind. Being a New Mexican means getting up before the sun on a chilly October morning to watch a mass ascension at Balloon Fiesta Park or helping your mother lay the dough for biscochitos while Christmas mariachi music plays in the background.

As I got older, the dialogue around our state began to change. Whenever you heard “New Mexico,” it was often associated with crime statistics or how we were last in education.

It was disheartening to hear how my home was being discussed. I grew up here and was shaped by this beautiful state we call home. I knew there was much more to what made us New Mexicans. All you needed to do was look a little closer.

I’ve said before that there is nothing more inherently New Mexican than to help our neighbors in need. I saw it every day when I was growing up. Behind every act of goodwill was a story. A story that often went untold.

Over a year ago, when I was charged with sharing New Mexico’s good news, I remembered that question from my youth: “What does it mean to be a New Mexican?” To answer that question, I set about meeting and telling the stories of the people in our community whose mission is to improve the lives of their fellow New Mexicans.

I never could have imagined that those people would include a team of young lifeguards who saved a man’s life after he suffered a heart attack or an 80-year-old vehicle repair shop owner who’s been mentoring would-be car mechanics for over 35 years. With each passing conversation, interview, and story publication, the answer to my long-standing question became more apparent.

Being a New Mexican means going out of your way to help those in need. When you see someone get knocked down, you offer them help to get up and a path forward. In the short time I’ve been on the good news beat, I’ve learned a lifetime of lessons about how to be a better person, community member, and storyteller.

After a story runs in the paper, we usually receive emails from sources thanking the Journal for taking the time to highlight the work they’re doing. The work they do is often difficult and unsung, but is invaluable.

At a time of year when we stop to reflect on the things for which we are thankful, I want to say thank you to each of you who pitched us a story, gave your time to sit down with us to talk about the work you do and for doing that work out of the goodness of your heart.

You all strive to make New Mexico a better place, and I hope our work at the Journal is shining a light on the people who make us proud to be a New Mexican. There’s still much work to be done and more stories to tell, but I can confidently say I’ve found the answer to my question and I owe my thanks to New Mexico and the amazing people who call it home.