Twenty years ago.

That’s how long it’s been since I began my career here with the Times News.

My, how time flies in the blink of an eye.

Back in the early days, I worked out of our then branch office that had been located inside the Palmerton Telephone Company building along Delaware Avenue.

Looking back, I was but a pup when compared to the majority of my colleagues, what with being one of the newbies who was part of a staff of many seasoned reporters.

The majority of them have since retired after winding down their successful careers in the newspaper industry, though several continue to make major contributions to our product to this day.

These days, we have a much more scaled back staff, but our coverage area remains as widespread as ever in serving the counties of Carbon, Schuylkill and Monroe, along with portions of Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Among the biggest changes lies in the manner in which we relay the news, as the days of cobbling stories for the print version only has since morphed into a 24/7 digital and social presence to meet the demands of our profession.

What hasn’t changed, though, is our commitment to providing our readers with the highest degree of local coverage they deserve as we aim to highlight local achievements, provide meeting coverage and report on the loss of those who live here.

I can tell you unequivocally that it is the latter of those that are quite often among the hardest that we as reporters must share with you, our readership.

In my time here, I’ve written countless stories on individuals who have made prominent contributions to the areas in which we live, work and visit.

Sadly, the area lost two such individuals who made immense contributions to their communities.

One such person was Jim Everett, founder of the Country Junction in Towamensing Township, who passed away earlier this month.

Everett, along with his wife, Jan, built, then rebuilt the World’s Largest General Store after a fire leveled the immensely popular store

One of the things I’ll always remember is how the community came together in the wake of the fire that decimated the original 150,000-square-foot building.

At the time, I was but merely several weeks into my employment here when I was asked to take photos from the Oct. 3, 2006, incident.

After the fire — which resulted in a multimillion dollar loss — Jim kept the store functioning by moving all operations to a large all-weather tent and various structures.

A grand reopening was held at the store in 2010, when about 50,000 square feet was opened. The new store was then constructed on the site of the former store. An addition was then built to grow the store to nearly its original size.

Another individual whose recent passing has been felt is Bill George, who passed away July 4.

Up until then, George served as Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company chief, and was also owner and operator of George’s Plumbing and Heating.

His death was considered in the line of duty because he had been answering calls the day before he passed away.

The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Emergency Training Center in August honored George at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Both of their passings represent tremendous losses to their respective communities.

It’s life-altering instances such as these that should bring into context just how precious life really is, and make us grateful for what we have.

Two decades spent — be it in an occupation, relationship or life event — is a milestone in and of itself.

Sure, my hair may be a bit grayer, I may have put on a few pounds here or there, and am far removed from being the new kid on the block.

Be that as it may, the occupation in which I serve is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly, nor for granted.

Especially in these times when life seems to pass at warp speed.

After all, time waits for no one.