End of some eras

This morning, I got an email from my editor at Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine. As of the June 2012 issue, the magazine ceases to exist as our publishing company has pulled the plug on our publication. It's sad, on many levels, but perhaps most sad because this has been a freelance job I've held almost since college graduation, and since the very first issue of the magazine debuted. It truly is the end an era. I've written pieces on everything from restaurants to town profiles to clearing homes of clutter. I've written about unique colleges, triathlons, and the best farmer's market stands in Northern Indiana. I've written features on summer camps, landscaping, and what college freshmen need to take with them to school. It's been an entertaining ride... one in which I've learned so much about freelancing, writing, and the Indiana/Michigan/Illinois life. I'm sad to see the magazine go. I'm sad that I can no longer call myself a freelance writer. And I'm left wondering if finding a new freelance gig is the right move for me or not. I'm not sure where to look, but I don't think I want my published work to cease... not yet, anyway. 


Ironically, the way I got hooked up with the magazine was through my dear friend and former Arthritis Foundation director Beth. Beth was friends with the inaugural editor-in-chief of the magazine and got us in touch. We hit it off and I started work on the magazine immediately, day one, issue one. And this brings me to yet another era that has ended for me in 2012. 


Since my diagnosis with Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2000, I've been active with the Arthritis Foundation. I loved working with the Foundation to plan events like the annual Notre Dame Tailgate and Silent Auction fundraiser, raise funds for the walk, help educate others, and, especially, work with other youths who had been diagnosed. But earlier this year, Beth was pushed out, the annual Arthritis Walk which has become a staple in my month of May was canceled, and not a peep has been heard from the Indianapolis office since. It's sad to see an organization that is so necessary go by the wayside due to politicking, but, for now, it has in South Bend. To be honest, I'm not sure I would want to work with the organization again as the way others still involved with the organization have handled things have been poor, at best (and, it's not the same without Beth -- her support and love for those she worked with is immeasurable). But, it feels like another end of an era. 


And now for a moment of contemplation... 


...I haven't decided yet if the proverbial death of two of my activities is necessarily a bad thing. I have forever tried to cram in all sorts of activities -- teaching, Jazzercise, seeing friends, being a good daughter, volunteering with a couple of different organizations, seeing my fantastic boyfriend, advising our student newspaper, going to school events, and, of course, training and running various races. In a strange way, this might actually be a blessing in disguise, as it might allow me a little down time (or, more than likely, allows me more time to do more of those other activities I already do). 


Hmph. Further contemplation required, methinks.