This week, I’m closing on my new house, and I’ve come to realize I’m getting a lot more than a mortgage.

True, I’m getting a window seat and great neighbors, but I’m also getting my own piece of Vicksburg, and with it comes a debt — not just to the bank, but to the community.

Owning a home means putting down roots. I can’t just pick up and leave whenever my lease ends. I’m here to stay.

This is bigger than me though; it impacts more than just me. This is a commitment to my soon-to-be wife, my job and my community.

When I say I am committed to this community, what I mean is I have a responsibility to do what I can to make it the best community possible to live, work and play in.

If I’m going to be here for a while, I want to know just what the government is doing, and how it’s going to impact me long term. I want to make my voice heard, and I can do that a number of ways, most importantly by voting.

I also want to help make Vicksburg great for others, which is why I’m even more inclined to volunteer now. With numerous civic organizations and programs like the United Way’s Day of Caring, giving back in Vicksburg is made easy.

Just last week I spent some time talking to the students on the newspaper staff at Bowmar Elementary about journalism. Sometimes it’s easy to take your skills and knowledge base for granted, but others appreciate them.

My job is another commitment I’ve made in buying this house. Owning a home here means I’ll be at The Vicksburg Post for a while because let’s face it, I need to pay my mortgage.

More than that, my job is another way I’m able to help Vicksburg. I’m able to tell stories that need to be told, exposing corruption, calling attention to need or just uniting the community when it needs it most.

My duties at The Vicksburg Post don’t always seem so important when I’m scanning in photos for engagement announcements, but at the end of the day, I know I’m blessed to be in a position that allows me to meet and help so many people every day.

Vicksburg, thanks for letting me be a part of your community, but know I recognize it comes with a price.