I have said this too often since entering the world of journalism (about eight years ago), but I’ll say it again: I am very lucky to do what I do!

I truly believe this because I get to meet so many interesting people and have had an array of unique experiences because of my occupation. Not only that, but I have gotten to be the voice for hundreds of people that I have interviewed.

When I interview someone, I am basically engaged in a conversation and in this conversation, I am learning something about him or her that others most likely do not know. It’s this immediate connection and initial form of intimacy between minds that makes being a journalist so rare  not to mention, rewarding!

Because I meet so many people, I can confidentially say that I meet a lot of special people. With that said, it should be easy to understand why I leave every interview inspired in one way or another.

In preparation for the January edition of Parent, I interviewed a mother of two who has the ambition to spread awareness about Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder that one of her daughters deals with every day.

This month Monica Jones and her two daughters will be participating in races during the Disney Marathon weekend in Orlando, Fla. Her older daughter, Katelyn, also has become more involved with the National Tourette Syndrome Association since she is now an ambassador to the organization.

Seventeen-year-old Katelyn has given numerous presentations about TS and has found that the more knowledge she gains, the more likely it is for her to influence others to learn more about the disorder.

The fact that this family has come together more because of something that is a challenge for one member is most reassuring. It’s reassuring because it illustrates how something like TS can positively influence a family.

Another inspiring encounter occurred when information about a Syracuse family (of 19) crossed my desk.

Beth Baldwin, of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, called me up and told me about a woman and her husband, a retired Syracuse fire chief, who were recently in the running to receive a home makeover through ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

However, the possibility never became a reality. This didn’t seem to the rock boat, though. A group of motivated (and extremely generous) community members are banding together to make the makeover happen this April.

Through a Facebook page, the “Johnson Family Home Project,” people can learn how they can support the cause. Community members can donate money, time or specific materials needed for the project.

It is beyond my imagination how generous the Johnsons are for opening their doors to so many children (17 to be exact) and that a community is willing to take on such a feat as a home makeover.

It’s moments like these that remind me that there are genuinely kind and giving people out there, that “community” is real.

It’s experiences like these for which I count my blessings. I have the opportunity to meet new people and try different things, simply because it’s my job.

Learning of the sense of empowerment among the Jones family and the humbleness of the Johnson family, truly made an average day on the job  above average.

Because I meet an array of people every day, I have to say I know an intriguing human being when I see one.

When you know, you just know.