Think About It: Plunging into a new year

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 7, 2026

By Bertha Cooper

Here is my New Year’s resolution for my column “Think About It.”

Readers of my column may have noticed that I have not appeared in the Sequim Gazette every two weeks this past year which has been the column’s usual frequency.

I am sure readers understand that I can submit a column, but it does not get published unless the editor approves its publication.

Failure to publish my column this past year was not an issue with the Gazette editor. The Gazette printed every column but three I submitted over more than a dozen years of writing “Think About It.”

The issue was with me, the columnist. The failure is best described as columnist falling into unreliable submission practices.

Widowed readers will accurately surmise the lapse was due to the brooding nature of the first year of widowhood which was indeed a big part of it. I usually write as I am today with the intention of bringing forth in some conceptual manner what is presently possessing my thoughts.

I worried during that first year of loss that I would lay bare so much sorrow and introspection in grief as a topic, readers would tire of it and me which must never happen to a wannabe columnist.

So, I followed my grief into column solitary confinement and continued the important work to resolve the loss of husband Paul in a way that keeps our life together in meaningful memories and allows me to use the strength and love he invested in me for the remainder of my life.

I managed a few columns unrelated to grief, although you will not be surprised to learn the grief columns were the ones for which I often received comments when I was out and about and recognized.

Taking the plunge

I am taking the plunge again.

My resolution is to regain the discipline to submit a column every two weeks.

We live in an interesting and vibrant community, and I am ready to reengage.

I am going to ask readers to provide me with leads when they come across something in our community that puzzles them or inspires them or makes them furious.

It could be political or not. It could be human interest or not.

It could be a biased blast at something happening around us or a probing question that was not considered by our community decision makers or influencers.

It could be anything from school policy on cellphones in classrooms to the impact of more housing developments.

It could be “When will OMC be on its financial feet?”

It could be the drama that surrounds the county charter review.

Keep in mind that my column is an opinion column. I write about factual things and provide related commentary.

By the way, you can too. The Gazette regularly publishes letters to the editor from readers. I find them informative and interesting. Most of us like reading what other people think, especially if they agree and say it well.

For me, it is most interesting when letter writers debate each other. I learn a lot about issues and people from letters.

Good examples are writings around bringing new housing developments into the community. Besides “not in my backyard,” the tug-of-war is around the need for additional people, for example healthcare workers, all of whom need a place to live and the desire to maintain the “rural” nature of Sequim.

It is a huge and complex issue. Expect more than one column on the housing dilemma.

We might as well get to know the issues and have a voice in this and many other issues that impact our environment. I encourage you to develop your voice and use it to move solutions in your value direction.

Housing is big but just one of the issues facing this community. I will join you in exploring the many issues that make our community what it is.

I will join you in staying in touch and informed.

Please join me in my column “Think About It” but be warned it could become part of your routine. It is a welcoming warm plunge or not.