Pass Herald is closed for two weeks

Just a reminder that the Pass Herald is closed for two weeks! Yes, two whole weeks, a break for my staff and myself. It’s been a wonderful year. My health is better and I’m systematically checking off all the bucket list items I have set out. The way I’m going they will be done in a couple of years. 

I’ve climbed a few peaks this summer and have a few more on my list. I was looking through the list of the mountains I’ve conquered and I’m already at 38. A couple more and I feel I’ve pretty much done everything in the Pass with a few more I want to summit in the Castle area. There is something that happens to you when you are climbing to the peak of a mountain. It’s time alone in your head, contemplating the world and your place in it. When you reach the top of a huge peak looking around the vast expanse you feel almost invincible. A little moment where you feel strong and capable and you revel in the fact that it’s your own two feet that got you to the summit.

In the past I would do fun things with Quinn throughout my two weeks off. We’d plan out game nights, tennis matches, paddle boarding, fishing, and hiking. Now he’s eighteen and excited to head off to university. He’s excited and ready and I’m a bit melancholic and sad. I’ve tried very hard to change my mindset from looking at Quinn leaving as not being the end of things, but rather looking at them as the beginning of new experiences.

I became a mom at 26 and now 26 years later, my job as mom with children in the house is almost over. My boys are all grown up. They are brilliant, funny, hard working and focused, but most of all they are independent and kind. I have raised incredible young men who will add value to this world. Every time one of the boys turned 18 and left for university, I still had Quinn at home. I’m dreading the moment when it is time for Quinn to leave. I have enjoyed every moment of my last year with him. He and I are the closest of all my boys. I have been his biggest fan and he’s been my biggest supporter. I can imagine what the house will be like when it’s quiet and clean. Trust me I would take the loud noise and the dishes in the sink in an instant.

When the boys were little I remember an older mom warning me to not make my life about the kids. I sloughed her off thinking she was nuts. Man alive in some ways I wish I had taken her advice. 

I figure when he leaves I’ll just go to my doctor and get some Paxil! I’m just joking, kind of. To celebrate Quinn’s graduation, we are all heading to Greece, with Aiden’s girlfriend Emily in tow. I’m excited to spend time with the most important people in my life and what better memory than Greece. 

When I ran for Council, I didn’t honestly think it would take up so much of my time. Everyone warned me, but for some reason I don’t remember it being that busy for my mom. Apparently, it was.

It’s hard to run a business, represent your community and be the best mom you can. My kids deserve that and more and sometimes it’s a tightrope hoping I’m not missing something for them for the sake of my community.

We have had a successful first half of the year here at the paper. Our subscriptions are up and our advertisers very generous. Every time I think I’m not going to make it in this industry, I look at the books and see we are holding steady, and that is because of you, the readers and the businesses in this community, that continually support us. 

So, I’ll end this saying thank you for allowing us a break, thank you for reading the Pass Herald, and here’s to a two-week break for my kids and me.

Our next issue is August 28th and I hope to come back a little more tanned and a lot more rested. I hope you all enjoy your summer as much as I have.

Have a wonderful August, I know I am going to enjoy every second.