NEW ORLEANS — Here we are, the end of the newscast, and for me, the end of a career.
In local news, one that began and is ending right here at WWL, full circle, exactly as I dreamed it would.
I've been here so long shoulder pads and blazers are back in style.
Thank you for having me for so long for welcoming me into your homes and your hearts.
I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and kind words and hope to respond to all of you.
Working in this city is unlike anywhere else. You're not viewers, you're neighbors, strangers are just friends we haven't met yet. That's why this city is so special the love that binds us is greater than any challenge we face.
I've had the privilege of sharing some of your stories. Thank you for trusting me to tell them. I've learned from you, I've grown because of you, and I will never forget you.
The Lightell family, the mother and both of her children who beat devastating brain tumors all those years ago, you taught me to believe in miracles.
The Slack family from the Lower Ninth Ward who lost everything but what really mattered in Katrina, you taught me about faith and family and resilience and it was an honor to have you, Nicole sing at my husband's funeral.
Danny Ziegler, the Jefferson Parish firefighter burned in a rescue, NOPD Officer Trevor Abney, wounded in an ambush, Joey Bovia killed in Afghanistan, you and your families taught me about sacrifice.
Eloise Bert, who raised all the mentally disabled foster children the state would give her, you taught me about unconditional love.
Wilbert Thomas, who lost his son to violence, you taught me joy after loss is possible.
All of you started as stories and became friends. Thank you.
To my colleagues, the ones from the beginning, to the extent I'm any good at what we do, it's because of you. I met my best friends here. We had a heckuva good time and weathered a helluva storm together.
Katrina made our bond unbreakable. We end our conversations with I love you and we mean it. We are family here.
Family takes care of family. To my bosses and my colleagues, every single one of you, over the last 10 years, thank you. My return here wasn't how I planned. My husband was diagnosed with cancer right after we moved back, my daughter was just a little girl.
For 6 and a half years he fought to stay alive and I fought to stay afloat. To every one of you who made it possible for me to come in late or leave early, who covered a shift or covered my you-know-what, not a single act of compassion went unnoticed. Your sacrifices gave us time and there's only one greater gift than that.
Thanks for the love and now the people I love most, who've given up a lot for my career - missing holidays, shifting plans, never complaining, always supportive. To all the Ronquillos out there, you're not in-laws, you're love personified, and you're stuck with me forever.
To my husband's friends thanks for checking on me all the time.
To my family, my parents are here today. You're all I aspire to become.
To John, I hope I make you proud, and to my daughter, Catherine, who's watching in New York, you're my everything, kiddo.
So it's not goodbye. I'm not leaving New Orleans, just pivoting.
Life's About Change, and it's time I live up to the mantra. So here we go, a new adventure after one heck of a fun ride.
Thank you!