My Life Needed an Angel

      A little over a year ago, I found myself in a tough spot. Due to sudden, unforeseen life changes, I needed to reinvent myself and start over.

      At the top of the list was getting a job. 

      I saw an ad for a writer at Bay Weekly and submitted my resume. I was a regular reader of the paper and had been a reporter in a former life, so it seemed like it could be a good fit.

     After what I thought was a promising conversation with the general manager, I looked forward to the interview we had set up.

      One thing kept sticking out in my head: He explained that the staff was so close that they chose to all eat lunch together every day.

      Would they welcome me into their obviously tight circle? Would I fit in?

      On the day of my interview, I was happily greeted by the office dog — something I have come to learn is a good sign.

      I got the job and have been part of the team ever since. 

      But it’s more than a team. It’s a family.

      Instead of my personal life getting easier, it got much, much harder. I scrambled to keep up.

      I doubt any other editor and general manager would tolerate the impact of the craziness of my life during that time. They supported me; worked with me and encouraged me as I rebuilt my life from the ground up. 

      All of my coworkers stepped up in unbelievable ways to help — office dog included, who could probably get a side gig as a therapy pup. From covering an assignment for me when I couldn’t to just listening to me work out my thoughts, they got me through. I cannot imagine enduring the past few months without them.

       They say that angels are put in your life when you need them. I saw proof of that with my Bay Weekly family. 

      And as for those staff lunches?

      Let’s just say that on days I’m not in the office, I see if I’ll be anywhere near the office around noon.

Staff writer since 2018, Krista Pfunder moves with Bay Weekly to ­Chesapeake Bay Media in 2020.