When I asked my dad how it was that a fellow from the northern Philippines wound up in a small town in Appalachia, he had a simple reply: It's where the work was.
He had graduated second in his medical school class, was a contributor to numerous studies in the development of the implanted pacemaker and was ahead of the curve in the use of ultrasound technology as a diagnostic tool. He'd been courted to work in other places.
But the first place he found work is the same place he's been practicing and providing up-to-date medical care ever since. And from what I've heard his patients and colleagues tell me, they've benefited greatly from his expertise.
I thought about this after reading a blog post by West Virginia native and present California resident Jason Headley, in which he recounted his love affair with the state and how he missed its special charms.
He wrote how his need to develop his talents forced him to leave so as to allow them to flourish in a more agreeable environment.
I don't blame him. The Mountain State isn't exactly the pinnacle for aspirants in the performing arts.
His essay got me to thinking about how - save for a dalliance in South Carolina - I have managed to stay in West Virginia.
Goodness knows I've had friends from here who have made their lives elsewhere and urged me to transplant myself in less challenging circumstances.
And as a professional designer, I've often wished for the chance to learn at the feet of masters in major market publications.
But at the risk of sounding immodest, I've just as frequently thought, Why can't a newspaper in my home state look as smart as the ones in the big cities? Why can't it be done here?
So here I stay, doing the best I can to represent myself, my family and my community. I strive every day to do so with excellence.
Not a year goes by without some reminder of how we lag behind the rest of the nation in our economy and our health and our education.
When I asked my dad how it was that a fellow from the northern Philippines wound up in a small town in Appalachia, he had a simple reply: It's where the work was.
He had graduated second in his medical school class, was a contributor to numerous studies in the development of the implanted pacemaker and was ahead of the curve in the use of ultrasound technology as a diagnostic tool. He'd been courted to work in other places.
But the first place he found work is the same place he's been practicing and providing up-to-date medical care ever since. And from what I've heard his patients and colleagues tell me, they've benefited greatly from his expertise.
I thought about this after reading a blog post by West Virginia native and present California resident Jason Headley, in which he recounted his love affair with the state and how he missed its special charms.
He wrote how his need to develop his talents forced him to leave so as to allow them to flourish in a more agreeable environment.
I don't blame him. The Mountain State isn't exactly the pinnacle for aspirants in the performing arts.
His essay got me to thinking about how - save for a dalliance in South Carolina - I have managed to stay in West Virginia.
Goodness knows I've had friends from here who have made their lives elsewhere and urged me to transplant myself in less challenging circumstances.
And as a professional designer, I've often wished for the chance to learn at the feet of masters in major market publications.
But at the risk of sounding immodest, I've just as frequently thought, Why can't a newspaper in my home state look as smart as the ones in the big cities? Why can't it be done here?
So here I stay, doing the best I can to represent myself, my family and my community. I strive every day to do so with excellence.
Not a year goes by without some reminder of how we lag behind the rest of the nation in our economy and our health and our education.
But on a pretty day, I look around our city and wonder if this is what a struggling state looks like.
I see stores and restaurants and repair shops and professional offices filled with people staying put, sticking it out and trying to do their best with grace, faith and humor. Whether we know it or not, we're working to make "here" a place to be proud of.
Looking back, I suppose the belief in that ethic may have been behind the bitterness and anger at the departure of former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez.
A native son was making a name for himself and the state's flagship university with a dazzling style of play calling. The nation was taking notice. Excellence was happening here.
Then he left to make his fortune where the lights were brighter and the recruiting easier.
A standard bearer had given up the fight. How dare he, while the rest of us were keeping our shoulders to the wheel?
Three disastrous seasons later, rather than finding the grass greener on the other side, Rodriguez was put out to pasture.
On the other hand, many other expatriates do more than fine.
The rest of us who choose to stay will be proud of them. Then we'll keep on working.
Contact writer Philip Maramba at phi...@dailymail.com or 304-348-4815.
