It was a warm day in early February 1977 when I received a telephone call from Helen Exum at the then Chattanooga Free Press. I had met Helen at a social gathering and had noticed that she was in the audience almost every time I spoke at citywide events.
I was, however, stunned by her next comment.
Nell Mohney“Nell, we at the Free Press have decided to start a new column on faith and want to invite you to write it.”
There was a long silence, and Helen asked, “Nell, are you there?” I replied, “Yes, and I’m very grateful for the invitation, but I can’t accept.” Then I began to rattle off my reasons – didn’t have time, didn’t know that many people and couldn’t write. Her reply was, “Write like you speak.”
Then she added, “Think about it, Nell, and then be at my office on next Tuesday at 2 p.m. with your final answer.”
It was exactly at 2 p.m. on Tuesday that I showed up in Helen’s office. I was fortified with even more excuses. Thirty minutes later, I left her office, thanking her for the opportunity. Next to Ralph Mohney, she was the most persuasive person I knew.
Thus began a journey of 38 years that had me interviewing people from astronauts to a convicted killer. I look back on those years and realize that I learned three things in addition to facts I learned from people I interviewed.
First, I realized that everyone has a story. While I didn’t always like their actions, I did understand them better when I saw their backgrounds. Secondly, I did see more clearly some chinks in my own armor. It caused me to clarify my purpose for living and gave me a determination to follow what St. Paul called “a more excellent way.”
Finally, it has revived my excitement about living. When we enter the senior years, there is a temptation to grow weary or discouraged. Instead, I’d like to echo the words of Dag Hammarskjold, who was second Secretary General of the United Nations. At his retirement, he said: “For all that has been – thanks; for all that will be – yes!”
Contact Nell Mohney at nellwmohney@comcast.net.