– by Deborah Rogers –
It’s my last Last Word; my swansong if you will! Allison Smith will be returning to the editor’s chair next month after her year of maternity leave, and I will be … well, that’s the question isn’t it?
This year has been a stretch for me. I wasn’t sure when I took the job quite how I was going to make it work, just that I wanted it so much that I had to make it work. As I heard someone say this week “if you want something done ask a busy person,” that’s been me this year! Juggling two jobs, two kids, volunteer commitments and the desire to still have some sort of social life has been challenging, but also invigorating. I can’t pretend that the balance has always been right but what I’ve got out of the opportunity has more than made up for some of the stress, anxiety and the invitations I’ve had to turn down!
I have loved getting to know my community through Seaside, crossing paths with all sorts of people I would never have otherwise met. I constantly find myself passing on snippets of information – things I’ve learned from our expert columnists. The many talented writers who’ve tolerated me messing with their words have taught me all sorts and I think (I hope) my writing has benefitted from their great examples. Is there a lesson in here somewhere? Just that even a few years earlier I wouldn’t have had the courage to try and take it all on, so maybe there is something to be said for getting older. Or perhaps the message is that it’s okay to take a chance, with the knowledge that things might not work out.
I know I’m not winning an Oscar here, but I would like to thank a few people without whom it wouldn’t have been possible … There’s my family of course who have tolerated and supported in equal measure the late nights and weekends at the computer. Also Julie, Ken and the rest of the epic team at Holy Cow who have been so flexible allowing me to meet all Seaside’s deadlines. Many friends have bucked me up when I felt I couldn’t do it (and I have to give an extra thanks to my friend Erin for her insight, opinions and wine). And you readers, thanks for coming up and chatting when you see me in Sidney: I’ve loved hearing what you think of the magazine, and I’ve appreciated all the feedback (even when it’s a photo taken especially to show me a mistake.)
Now I’ll return you to Allison’s steady hands, but I’m not going too far. As of October I’ll be happily taking on the role of Seaside’s Editorial Director, and will continue to welcome all your ideas.
