One year. Depending on how you look at it- that’s 52 weeks, 356 days or exactly 8,771 hours since my final goodbye from the anchor desk of a local noon newscast.
It was a career that began in college at 19. I worked in news in New York, Boston, Montana, Indiana and Alabama. I cannot even begin to estimate the number of vacations and birthdays missed and relationships sacrificed. I went to bed, showered, even went on vacation with my work phone never more than an arm’s reach away. My wedding and even the birth of my children were planned around the news cycle. Quite honestly, I never thought it would end until I was physically dragged off the anchor desk and into retirement. I was wrong.
My three-year-old daughter always wanted to know why I wasn’t going to be at her class party, a parade at school or pick her up. “All the other mommies were going.” But it took my two-year-old asking, “Mommy, why does your phone ring all the time?” to realize I needed to make a big change.
Deciding to leave news felt like failure and absolute defeat. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made and it took a leap of faith.
Taking that jump landed me on a new path with a new job and new challenges. The best part? Not of a minute of the last 8,771 hours has been filled with one pang of regret. I’m living. I’m learning to be a better wife and the best mom to my two pint-sized blessings. I’m a room mom. I’m a reading volunteer. I’m even volunteering with my children and reconnecting with old friends and old hobbies…. I’m loving every moment.
Many of you have been such a big part of my journey for so many years, so I hope you’ll continue being a part of it as I count all my blessings (especially those adorable pint-sized ones).
And we’re so thankful your journey led you to IPC! I’ve loved working with you this year.
V
Congratulations Honora! It is all about family. So glad you are in that good place.
So happy for you and your family!
So very proud of you. You just never know the path God has planned for you