Photo by Steven St. JohnTribune

Tribune

My grandfather recently died after 90 years of living. He did a great deal of things with his time on this planet, traveling across the United States many times over. Not a bad life for a farm boy from Kansas. We at The Albuquerque Tribune have all been living with the knowledge that the paper is going to die. I remember, when I was still in college, first hearing rumors The Trib was in trouble. I photographed my colleagues (above) in March 2003 on the day the war in Iraq began. They were crowded around a TV in the newsroom, watching the images being broadcast from the invasion. Some of the people in the photo have moved on to other jobs; others remain here doing the best work we can with the time we have left. It has been an honor to work for this paper, with these people, telling the tales of this community, my hometown. We have been through so much together. They have become my family.

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My grandfather recently died after 90 years of living. He did a great deal of things with his time on this planet, traveling across the United States many times over. Not a bad life for a farm boy from Kansas.

Toward the end of his life, he started to suffer heart attacks. The doctors told him he would continue to have small heart attacks until he would have the big one. It could be days, they said, or it could be years.

When I heard this message, relayed by my father over the phone, I asked myself what it must be like to live with that idea. Sure, we all are going to die, but in some way, we don't really think it will happen. Not to us, not to me.

He died the next day.

We at The Albuquerque Tribune have all been living with the knowledge that the paper is going to die. I remember, when I was still in college, first hearing rumors The Trib was in trouble.

Tuesday's news of the paper being put up for sale and possibly shutting down came as a surprise to nobody, but it doesn't make it easy.

I photographed my colleagues (above) in March 2003 on the day the war in Iraq began. They were crowded around a TV in the newsroom, watching the images being broadcast from the invasion.

Some of the people in the photo have moved on to other jobs; others remain here doing the best work we can with the time we have left.

The names of people who have worked here in years past is humbling.

It has been an honor to work for this paper, with these people, telling the tales of this community, my hometown. We have been through so much together. They have become my family.

Viewfinder is a photographer's take on the life and lives of Albuquerque. It runs Mondays. To contribute an idea, call 823-3643 or send an e-mail to photo@abqtrib.com.