Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Home Columns Winter isolation brings on  thoughts of past

Winter isolation brings on  thoughts of past

Being cooped up in recent days due to inclement weather for several days at a time this year, staying home was the right answer for my son and me.

I don’t know about him, but my thoughts focused on my past and my future.

We both have our likes about places we like to visit and such, but we knew home is where we should be in times like this.

One thing that kept me going was to ask myself If I had it to do all over again in life, would I change anything?I don’t mean to be boring, but I will let readers in on some of the things that made me “me.”

I would never want to change my younger days. My family meant a lot to me.

Mom could do anything….cook, sew, do garden work and could wrap packages just perfect for the respective holidays. And, she even worked on various house projects that needed done and she loved us unconditionally. Dad worked for many years at New Idea in Coldwater, but he was always interested in us four children and then later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I even remember him making homemade lemonade which tasted delicious and another family member remembers him frying eggs that she described as delicious.

Most of all, we know he loved our mother and she loved him right back. That’s all we could ask for,

As for my profession –journalism–yes I would do it all over again….all 50-plus years of it. That’s how I kind of got out of my shell and got to travel all over the county and sometimes beyond to put people’s stories in print.

Boy, did I make a great number of friends over the years, and some still correspond with me. I love hearing from them.

I just wish I were more technically-inclined…even to this day. I wish I could do more than I do if I knew what was wrong with how I’m handling it.

I admit I never had a minute of college, but I prevailed somewhat. I got my education by working in journalism and learning about people and places and things while doing so.

I had many, many co-workers over the years and couldn’t have worked with better people.

I especially love people with senses of humor and still do. What more could a  person ask for?

I really can’t say enough about my son, Jamie, who just turned 50 years old (how can that be?). Time has flown by so fast. Most people know that I am a single parent and I want them to know that I  would have done it all over again because Jamie is my “angel.” I thank God for that.

My son makes mistakes too, but don’t we all? He is a wonderful human being, kind, loving and caring. However, I can’t take full credit for his upbringing. He had many people who helped in his care over the years while I was working full-time.

I will say it again. I would not change my life if I had it to do all over again. I think I will write a song stating thus. Oh, I forgot, there is already a song out about that.

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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of:  Georganna Swabb and John Rosenbeck.

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Please pray for Jim and Amy Hanes,  Fred Dakin, Carol Paul, Ted McCabe, Tracy Pratt, David Hiestand,  Gary Knick, Kierra Reichert, Eddie Cline, Sharon Lapp, Terri Baker Buteau, Judy York, Roxie Thornhill,

Sharon Miller, Allen Whittaker,  Mike Hopkins, Don Rhoades, Dave Brewer, Clarence “Sam” Wilker, Chuck Cruze, Roan  Brubaker, Vic Bothast,  Tom Brewer, Todd Anderson,  Dawn Dilworth, Carol Schuh,  Gloria Hodge, Ralph Byrd, Jeff Brocious, Norma Kretschmar, Beth Davis, Terry Overbay, Terry “T.A.” Anthony, Katie Cothran, Lynne Bruner Hinshaw, Tom Everhart, Donn Thornhill, Carissa Rodriguez, Kevin Christman, Ivan Christian, Roger Fleckenstein, Bob Jackson, Penny Hopkins, Sherry Lawrence,  Evelyn Manning, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker,  Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly,  Bob Christian, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Dan Lockhart, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz,  DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Judy Collins,  Carol Hemmerich, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Nikole Baldridge, Mark Lovejoy,  Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton  David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.

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Happy birthday:

Dec. 9 to Andy Couchot and Georgia Young.
Dec. 10 to Krista Hall Hines, Kelli Gragorace, Carol Hoop, Ginger Siders and Tony Steed.