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Faithful readers and longtime
friends--I started writing this column in 1994, I think. My son had not yet
been born and my middle child was a toddler. For more than 25 years I've shared
my thoughts on parenting, children, development, and culture. I've written
about history, travel, my grandmother, my father, and other experiences that I
hope gave you something to think about in your own existence. I've gotten feedback from you in
the form of posts and emails and even an occasional letter in the mail. Most of
the time you have been encouraging, but even when you disagreed, it was fun
sharing some back-and-forth as we worked through life's issues. I've been a writer since I was
old enough to hold a crayon and I'm so grateful that The Citizen has allowed me to publish my thoughts over these many
years. My editors have always been good to me and even though I've done most of
my work through email and I rarely see them, I still consider them friends. But the time has come to say
goodbye. I have so much more I could write, but retirement approaches for me
and I am working to make my world a little smaller. My very first article was
entitled Why Bother and the main
character was my oldest daughter, only six at the time. I've shared with you
challenges with my children, things they taught me, and how I've tried to grow
into a better person with each passing month. And in just the past year I've
shared stories of my middle daughter (The
Raven) and my son just last month (To
Cover a Hurt). Now my children are adults, two
of them are marrying this year, and I'm hopeful for grandchildren sometime in
the coming years. I'm ready for the transition of a new son and daughter into
the family. Several of you have consistently
responded to me when my articles come out. Almost always you encouraged me and
thanked me for my words. My gratitude is deep and sincere. I don't write for
accolades, but the encouragement that you regularly provided says so much about
you. You are kind and thoughtful people. You spent minutes saying something to
me for no other reason than you wanted to tell me that my words mattered. I will still be writing my column
for Counseling Today and as has been
true for most of my life, I'll always have a book in progress. But the minutes
of the day go faster now and I am wise enough to know when it is time to change
gears. That realization has come many times over the years. I knew when it was time to stop
teaching at Georgia State University and I knew when my days at the FBI Academy
were no longer as much fun as they had once been. And the same could be said
about my work with the Cold Case Squad in Atlanta. When activities take more
energy than they give, it is time to move on. I was a soccer referee for many
years and for my last several years, I was one of the oldest referees in the
league. My last year as a referee I was at the very top of the game. I was
respected by my fellow referees and by the various leagues, assigners, and
coaches. I did international and pro games. But I was getting older and I knew
I couldn't go at that pace forever. And, as is true now, I knew it
was time to close that chapter of my life. I haven't regretted it even though
there are things that I miss about Georgia State, the FBI Academy, the Cold
Case Squad in Atlanta, and being a referee. But going out on top--when people
might say, "You still have good years in you for this"--is much
better for me than being the person that others whisper about saying, "He
should have moved on a long time ago." So please accept my gratitude for
these many years. I may still post to my email list an occasional thought, but
as for my work with The Citizen, I'm
closing that book. I wish you well and thank you so much for this incredible journey
that we have shared together. Blessings always.
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