Post-it notes with topic ideas litter the 2023 desk calendar where I’ve written column titles on the Wednesday spaces. A manila folder labeled Where We Are Topics bulges with scraps of paper. Hastily written notes and people’s contact information and newspaper clippings and printed programs and more.
There’s a folder on my computer labeled Possible Columns. Seems there’s always something to write about. Since I write only one column a week, I have time to think through what seems pertinent for readers and what’s happening now. And sometimes, a topic nags until it’s written.
Months ago, I wrote “Last Column?” on a post-it note. That idea wouldn’t go away, even after I threw the note in the trash. It’s time to write it. So, this is my last weekly Where We Are column.
Like book authors who write acknowledgements, I’m thankful to many people. First, to you readers – especially those who have told me your stories that relate to mine. I’ve appreciated all topic suggestions – especially those from one older friend who often said, “You haven’t written about your Grands lately.” You grandparents know I could’ve written about my Grands every week.
One person gave me the confidence to ask for pay. After reading one of my writings, my friend, (later fellow columnist) Jennie Ivey said, “Go talk to Buddy at the newspaper about a regular column! You should get paid for your writing.” Without her encouragement, I’d never picked up the phone and made an appointment with Buddy Pearson, former Herald-Citizen editor. Jennie, thank you for your encouragement that day and many times since.
I was surprised when Buddy offered a dollar amount and then said, “How about Wednesdays?” I’d thought maybe a monthly column. We comprised and two columns a month were published until six months later when I agreed to every week.
To all the past and current newspaper staff members, thank you. From that first column, published May 19, 2020, you’ve given me freedom to choose topics and never once refused a Monday morning submission.
Each week’s column is edited by my in-house editor. Husband Allen catches every typo, incorrect subject-verb agreement, extra space – anything and everything. Thank you. And thank you for accepting the title Husband and letting me write about you.
I appreciate Daughter Alicia and Son Eric who have let me write about their children. And to you eight Grands, someday you might find, and read, the more than 700 printed columns that are saved in plastic sleeves and stored in three-ring notebooks. Thank you, Children and Grands, for providing the very best writing fodder.
Sometimes I’ve been asked why my column is titled Where We Are. Almost twenty years ago, while visiting my aunt and uncle, I said that I was sad for them, both in their 80’s, because three of their friends had passed away during one week. Aunt Doris smiled and said, “It’s okay. It’s where we are in life.”
I hold Aunt Doris’s words as a mantra. It’s where we are in life that determines what we do and accepting each life stage with its blessings, its trials, its activities make each day okay.
Recently I discovered a poem my dad, Taskel Rich, wrote in the 1980’s, shortly after he retired as Byrdstown, Tennessee postmaster. Maybe it was his words that confirmed that I should dig that post-it note out of the trash and write this column.
Night falls swiftly
And the day is over
The day that had dragged its feet
And seemed to hover with darkness.
Today can never be yesterday
And allow us to change decisions,
Correct errors or make up lost times.
Neither, today cannot be tomorrow
And allow changes in actions
That will guarantee success.
We must regard today
As the most important one.
A time to assess our successes
And failures of yesterday
And a time to regroup and plan
To make tomorrow the best
And most successful day of our life.
I’m not finished writing. I’ll continue to post writings and recipes and stories and whatever comes to mind on my blog page and social media, but not on a regular schedule. (I won’t throw away all those possible topics and notes.)
Find future writings at https://susanrray.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/susan.ray.357. And most past columns on my blog page.
I’m grateful to every reader and every person who has contributed to Where We Are. And I intend to make tomorrow the best and most successful day of life.
Filed under: Everyday Life, FIRST | Tagged: acknowledge, last weely column, plan, regroup, thankful | Leave a comment »
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