Deb's inspiration keeps blog afloat

Happy Monday, friends. Nice to see you again.

First off, thank you. My gosh, thank you. The prayers, well wishes, texts, emails, cards, phone calls, and hugs (especially the hugs) from across this community hit home during the most difficult week of my life. I seriously now understand how someone dies of a broken heart. I get it.

Deborah Kamlot-Wright’s impact on Citrus County was felt near and far. I heard from politicians and janitors. It took me days to make it through the social media comments.

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The blog went dark last week, but I knew the weekend was looming, and beyond that, today. I sat at the World Headquarters III desk Sunday and stared at the blank screen, the same thought running through my mind:

Now what? Where, exactly, does Just Wright Citrus go now that my anchor is gone? Can I even keep doing this?

Answer: Yes, yes, and more yes.

Going back to the beginning, four years ago. The blog wasn’t Deb’s idea, but it wouldn’t exist without her inspiration. On Day 1, she said to me:

“You don’t read anybody else.”

I looked at her and asked what she meant. She repeated: “You don’t read anybody else.”

I’m a little dense, so I asked her to explain. She said this blog would be my voice and mine alone.

“Don’t let others think they know this county better than you do,” she said.

And that’s why I don’t read Citrus County columnists, bloggers, or editorials — because my wife said so.

Deb would be sorely disappointed if I dropped the blog simply because she’s no longer physically here to help guide me. No, she’d want it to continue. So, it will.

Exactly how that’ll look, though, I’m frankly uncertain. I’ve never dealt with grief like this. While it’s getting a little better day by day, I’m very cautious. It arrives like a thunderclap with little warning. Truthfully, I’m not caring too much right now about the Crystal River City Manager or county sales tax.

But I also know this is what I do. I’m a writer. I wouldn’t know how else to help my community and earn a living, other than writing about it. So, I guess what I’m saying is, we’ll eventually wind back to regular JWC topics, but not right away. Everyone who I trust says not to rush this grieving process.That could mean five blogs a week or it could be two until I return to whatever counts for normal around here.

Today’s photo is of the 2023 Just Wright Citrus “annual meeting” where we enjoyed a wonderful meal and talked about the blog for two hours. Deb kept me centered, level-headed, and zoned in on helping people. She believed the blog did that, and I’m not sure how I go on without my moral compass and best friend.

Deb was so excited two weeks ago when I told her we’d hit 9,000 Facebook followers.

“Omg!!!!!!!!” was her text reply.

Deb’s inspiration fuels the Just Wright Citrus mission. My motivation for the blog is at a whole new level, even though I can’t say for certain what that looks like.

Slow down the blog now? Not in the least. We have much work to do.

My Deb would insist.

Have a great Monday, friends.

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