To My Loyal Readers: A Heartfelt Thank You!

This week’s column isn’t about geopolitics, the environment, finance, or law. It’s not about a pressing issue or breaking news. No, this one is about you. It’s about the readers who show up week after week, sharing this journey with me.

Some of you start your Monday mornings with my column, pairing it with your first cup of tea or coffee. Others catch up during the day, weaving it into your busy schedules. I’ve heard from folks who share my work with partners or colleagues, using it as a conversation starter or a tool for discussion. Other appreciate the views or message while some have told me that I help you expand your knowledge.?

I want you to know how much your feedback means to me. Whether it’s a kind word at the Do It Center, Super Food, PriceSmart, or even in the drive-through when I’m picking up a meal for my family, your comments never fail to brighten my day. You remind me why I write. You encourage me to write. You are the reason I write.

The Quiet Readers and the Vocal Ones

Not everyone leaves comments or presses the “like” button, but that doesn’t make your support any less valuable. I know many of you are loyal, quiet readers who don’t always make your presence known, but I feel your company every time I sit down to write.

Then there are the readers who do share their thoughts—those who suggest I go deeper on a subject or those who question my content and also those who disagree with me in whole or in part. I appreciate the constructive feedback just as much as the compliments because it helps me grow as a writer. Together, we’ve built a relationship that I deeply cherish.

A Special Thanks to the Platforms That Share My Work

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the portal www.trempan.com for sparking the initiative of a weekly legal column. Your vision laid the foundation for what this has become. To other platforms and news outlets in Aruba and Cura?ao that publish my columns as opinion pieces or news items in Dutch and Papiamento, thank you for your loyalty and confidence. Your readership is your bread and butter, and I’m truly flattered that you choose to share my pieces with your audience. You carry the message further and further, amplifying the conversation and broadening its reach. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Reflecting on the Reach and Impact

The reach of this column across various platforms continues to grow, and the statistics are something I’m rather pleased with. It’s exciting to see more readers engaging with the content every week, and I’m optimistic about even greater growth in the future.

One memorable moment this year came after I wrote a column on public finances and our staggering national debt levels. The response was so pointed that the Minister of Finance felt compelled to have her PR machine churn out a press release - not addressing the content, of course, but resorting to name-calling instead. Such is politics in Aruba. Yet here’s the part that made me smile: more people read my weekly column every Monday than voted for her in the December 6, 2024, elections we just had. I guess facts can be unsettling, but readership doesn’t lie!

A Year of Gratitude

2024 has been an incredible year. Your support and encouragement have been the fuel that keeps me going, even when the topics are tough or the schedule is demanding, or inspiration is low. Whether you’ve been reading my columns for years or just joined recently, your loyalty humbles me.

Thank you for making space in your week to read what I write. Thank you for your encouragement, whether spoken in person, shared online, or quietly reflected in the way you keep coming back. I also want to take a moment to thank those closest to me: my partner in law, Brya; my partner in love,? Nancy; my dad; my sons Gavril and Gavin and my trusted companion, Tobio. Your support and encouragement are the foundation that allows me to keep going week after week. This column is yours as much as it is mine.?

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we close out this year, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. The new year will undoubtedly bring fresh topics to explore, and I fully intend to continue writing with the same dedication and passion that you’ve come to expect. Of course, much will depend on what 2025 brings in terms of both my professional and personal life, but my commitment to sharing meaningful content with you remains steadfast.

So, as we approach the holidays, I wish you and your families health, happiness, and prosperity. Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to continuing this relationship in 2025 and beyond.

See you next week,

Lincoln

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my website at www.lincolngomez.com where you can find all my columns and podcasts. Visit www.gomezcoffie.com to learn more about the firm.?

Let’s keep our conversation and our journey going!