Letter to the Editor

 I thank God for putting Cory Bordonaro in my path. For those who can't put a face with a name, you've read and admired her work in print as the editor of skirt! Birmingham, and you've enjoyed her blogs as giornalista.

Like so many others, (including myself,) Cory's first journalism job ended prematurely thanks to this lackluster economy we're all trying to live with. I hope and pray this Georgia native will stay in the Magic City.

If you've had the pleasure of reading any of Cory's work, you know she's an incredible writer with a unique and distinctive voice. She hammers out one-liners like, "If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m ever at the mercy of the waves, even when my feet are firmly planted on the sand." (Yeah... it connected with me in a big way too.) There is wisdom in her words that far surpass her age, and I know that if she wants it, she'll be a "big deal" in the publishing world one day. She's just too talented, and she sees the world in a very different, reflective way.

But underneath the editor, she's an amazing person, as anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her through skirt! events, interviews or a personal relationship can tell you. I'm not being flowery when I write that I thank God for her... I truly do. I met her during one of the darkest times in my life, and she still wanted to spend time with me, which kind-of blew my mind. (Surmise it to say I wasn't exactly a pleasure to be around.) She's kind and good, but also has razor-sharp cynicism that's as unexpected as it is entertaining. She loves homemaking and hates musicals. She is fascinating. 

The two of us have lived very, very different lives, but somehow, we still connect. (Maybe it's in our faith and our love of the arts... (Though I'll gladly admit that she's much more of a producer while I'm an appreciator.)) She brought me into a community of Believers that I would never have found OR had the courage to join on my own, and she has always made sure I am comfortable and that I don't feel left out. I'm older than her, but she's still been a great influencer over me. The pleasure of her company, as well as the good company she brought me into, helped me find my way back to myself. I hadn't felt right for such a long time when I met her, and I wasn't happy with the lifestyle I was keeping either... but God used her and her friends in a powerful way.

I wouldn't call her a best friend, but she's already carved out a special niche in my heart. I've truly never met anyone like her. I hope, in time, I'll have the pleasure of knowing her better. I pray she finds new and fulfilling work here in Birmingham, because it would be a great loss to our city and a great loss to me to lose her.