From Kathryn…

by Kathryn Urick

 

December 1987

 

It’s early in the morning – and the best time of the day for me.  I feel warm and cozy as I sit at my writing place and reminisce.  Since my column in the Ames Tribune has been cancelled, I’ve missed communicating with my reader-friends.  Honest, I received calls from several people who said they liked my style, my topics, my “words from the heart”, as well as words like ”don’t ever stop writing.”

 

In a great measure, my articles represented my mode of communication.  (Too bad my editor got in a snit and decided to cancel the column).  Communication takes many forms, but I didn’t realize how strong these bonds can become until I wrote for the Senior Page.  So when she discontinued my column, it seemed, just for a while, I was left to twist in the wind.  But certain people came to my rescue, journalists, a local author, people who didn’t have small minds, encouraged me to hang in there and to ”never stop writing.”  Some teachers at a school where I volunteer said the children would be disappointed, others, both young and old, were genuinely sorry my column had met its end.


So my plans are to continue writing and reaching my readers in some way or another.  I can’t do less, when these words of encouragement keep reaching my ears.  Especially, when my two grandsons have already ordered a 1st edition of my first book.  My pencil, just automatically keeps writing on the page.

 

Two unique articles are in the planning stages.  1) The Legacy of Adoption, which is a beautiful poem, showing the inner feelings of both mothers of an adopted child and 2) I Ran For My Life, which is the true story of Sorl Thun, a Cambodian boy, who has lived in Ames for a few years, at present attends Ames High School.  The story of how he saw his family disappear at the hands of the Soviet military, during the war with Vietnam in 1975, will touch anyone’s heart.

 

So, Ames Tribune, I’m out in the cold?  Not on your life.  Since I am freed from the trappings of the local newspaper, my feeling is good.  It is something akin to “working with your hands, frees your mind” kind of feeling. 

 

“I’M STILL HERE”

I’ve been scarred and battered.

My hopes the wind done scattered.

Snow had friz me, sun has baked me.

Looks like between ‘em

They done tried to make me

Stop laughin’ stop lovin’

Stop living’ But I don’t care,

I’M STILL HERE.”