The next step
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 05:23PM Last week, I resigned from 17 years of my life.
Heart and Soul, the column I've written weekly for almost 17 years in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspapers, the chronicle of my children's lives and mine, ends tomorrow.
Strangely, it ended by my choice. For months I've debated whether it was time to let it go. Apparently, Life got fed up with my indecision and made the decision for me.
The simple fact is that my husband is facing a serious health challenge. The complex fact is that I am tired. Writing the column takes a lot of time each week, it's not something I've ever done quickly or lightly - I'm not that kind of writer. Right now, my family needs me and I need more time to do things that keep me healthy and strong as we deal with whatever is ahead.
In spite of these utterly compelling reasons to let the column go, this is still a hard goodbye.
I may or may not write about our health journey here, we haven't decided that yet. But I will keep writing. Writing here instead of in the paper lets me choose the time, place and length of my work, and these have become important choices.
From my very first column, I felt called to write Heart and Soul. Following that inner voice meant examining my life, and that journey defined as well as shaped me. I knew I had something valuable to say, something my readers needed to hear, and that feeling is still strong.
When one door closes, another opens. It will be good to make time for things that keep me feeling fulfilled, joyful and serene. And one of those things will be writing here, when I can and when time and life allow. I hope you'll check in now and then. In the meantime, I wish all of you all good things - always.
With love and best wishes,
Jennifer


