Jeffrey E. Theodore

In short, without words nothing gets done in this world. My love affair with words began years ago in a tiny corner of a library in a small Southern town. I flirted with all the books there. In almost an overwhelming kind of way, I wanted to pack all the books up, take them home and establish deep relationships with each one.

Biographies were my favorite. They struck at my core because it was inspiring to know what makes folks tick. Years later, before entering college, I discovered journalism as a vocation where I could marry my desire to learn about people and my love for words.

In my more than 20 years in the field, including a most recent stint in public relations for a university, my infatuation with words has not waned one bit. I've interviewed and composed stories about mayors, governors, celebrities and young impressionable children. With each group, their stories stir within me a positive glimmer of satisfaction, a nod of acknowledgment of sorts that this profession is my preordained destiny.

The tedious yet gratifying nature of writing stories and sometimes editing them is a distinct feeling -- akin to figuring out the way the pieces of the toughest jigsaw puzzle fit -- that any journalist worth his or her salt embraces.

I still relish words as passionately as that day long ago in the library. I gush with awe when I come across words I've never seen. I admire with a sense of amour when friends utter words that are favorites of mine. And I wouldn't dare think of being selfish about sharing my affinity for words with anyone who'll listen.

Besides, they're what makes the world go round. Truthfully, nothing in this world gets done without them.