My final day at The Vicksburg Post was Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017.

Or so I thought.

As I return to the newspaper as editor, I am doing so trying to answer a few questions that have been thrown my way in recent days. Those questions all sound the same … “What in the heck are you thinking?”

That’s a good question.

But, as I sit at this keyboard, coming up with the answer — or answers — is relatively simple. “It’s what I do.”

For roughly 25 years, I had taken photographs, written stories, interviewed interesting people and tried hard to tell their stories. I had written columns giving my take on recent events, or my observations of the community in which I lived and served. I had been part of editorial boards helping shape the newspaper’s opinion on a particular topic or hoping to spark positive change.

“It’s what I do.”

Since leaving The Post, I have continued to do that and more.

I have had the chance to work with newspaper and media companies from Minnesota to Georgia, Kentucky to Texas, helping their teams tell better stories, present better front pages and magazines and better serve their communities.

In my time away, I was blessed with the chance to serve as chair of the United Way of West Central Mississippi, on whose board I still sit. And, have become more involved with the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association.

And, I have been blessed with time to attend my daughter’s games and recitals, my boys’ school events and baseball games, and taken my wife to lunch a time or two, without the crush of an impending deadline.

I have also had the opportunity to get healthier, enduring two surgeries and working hard to make sure my blood pressure does not rival the top speeds at Daytona.

God knew I needed the break long before I did and provided immensely during my time away. In my faith, I believe this opportunity is something he has provided as well.

In the four-plus years my family has called Vicksburg home, we have been blessed beyond measure. In the friends we have made, the educational opportunities for our children and the overall life we have worked to build.

There were opportunities outside of Vicksburg that would have required us to move, uproot our children, but those discussions quickly ended when thinking of moving away. Yes, the pull of family is strong, but our connection to Vicksburg is much stronger.

That is why returning to The Post is such an amazing opportunity and one that — while I was not looking for it — was too good to pass up.

I know the deep connection the newspaper has with Vicksburg and Warren County. And I know many of the complaints people have with the newspaper. Believe me, I have been approached more than a few thousand times about it since leaving.

That said, the newspaper is only as strong as the community helps it to be. Contrary to popular belief, those who work at the newspaper are not “know-it-alls;” we are not omniscient. We need you, the readers, the community to help us be better. Doing so will require hard work by our team and involvement from you. Cute little posts on Facebook groups only serve to be witty to your friends. Real change happens when those comments are presented constructively.

Will mistakes happen? Absolutely. The last time I checked — and I am reminded by my children daily — I am not perfect, nor are those who work at The Post.

This is a job of service. We serve you and sincerely request — nay require — your help.

I am excited to be back, excited to get to work. In the end, the answer to those many questions truly is … “It’s what I do.”

Tim Reeves is editor of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com.