It’s a wrap – and what a gift this column has been!
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Time is a funny thing. It’s often not until we look back at artifacts – pictures, writing, artwork – that we truly understand growth and the passage of time.
The monotony of packing lunches, reminders of getting dressed, carline and after-school activities creates a blur. It makes it seem like each day is the same and, in doing so, creates a sort of stasis – and staleness.
But as I began unpacking my twins’ kindergarten backpacks this week, removing used-up school supplies, notebooks and workbooks, I saw time unfolding before me. Those chewed up pencils were remnants of the brightly colored and pristinely sharpened No. 2-required pencils from the school supply lists. Those notebooks once held covers; now, they’re tattered, torn and well-loved.
And within those pages, I saw my twins’ kindergarten year come alive. The initial pages of scribble-scratch, barely legible words (aside from their names) gave way to colorful drawings depicting weekend activities, with a phrase or sentence detailing what it was. Midway through the notebook, brightly colored, green bunk beds were prominently displayed alongside “new beds!”
Seeing their creations and the confidence in their drawing and writing abilities, I also realized that the small things I often took for granted were the parts of the week that they remembered most. Viewing the world through their eyes – and in these artifacts – reminds me of their growth, innocence, curiosity and perseverance.
And the same is true of myself. When I started at the Clarion Herald as an intern to launch the Young Adult column, I was an undergraduate sophomore at Spring Hill College in Mobile. I never expected that the Clarion Herald – its staff and faithful readers – would watch me grow up over the years. Moving to the Midwest to pursue a graduate education, getting married and starting a family, and moving back to the South to fulfill my dream of being an English professor.
It has been an immense privilege to grow with you by my side, dear reader – as Jane Austen would say. Looking back at my own archive of columns, I see progression in my faith, in my understanding of society and changes in my approach to topics and writing styles – especially after becoming a mother to my three beautiful boys.
When I tell people that I write a column sharing my experiences as a Catholic wife and mother – I can’t bring myself, at almost 37, to call myself a “young adult” any longer!
I always emphasize that my writing is not only about sharing, but also about learning. These columns have offered me an excuse to ponder my faith, to question meaning in everyday aspects of my life and to learn about myself. Thank you for following me, for reading and for sharing parts of your lives with me.
In my house, we read and watch a lot of “The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” and now it’s time for me to continue growing, thriving, and loving with my children.
TTFN – “ta ta for now!”
Editor’s note: For nearly 20 years, Heather’s Young Adult column has been one of the most-read in the Clarion Herald. She has reflected from her heart about how her Catholic faith has influenced and supported her marriage, her avocation as a university professor and her vocation as a mother. Well done, Heather. You have inspired so many through your willingness to share your life with us!