“B The Lo’Down
eginnings
are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what’s in the middle that counts.” I speak fluently in movie quotes, and this one from Hope Floats is one of my favorites. I shall now take a moment to sigh and think of Harry Connick Jr. in a cowboy hat with flowers. Sigh. Anyway, it was working on this first issue of The Local that brought that quote to mind. Beginnings are scary—and launching a magazine? Terrifying. But I have learned that it’s the people of my life, my circles, that turn the anxiety of “new” into hope. This is a community magazine, for all of us, and its goal is to bring all our circles a little closer together. I think of my first day of kindergarten. I was ready! In my yellow raincoat and Buster Brown shoes, the bus couldn’t come fast enough—until it came. I suddenly wasn’t so certain about leaving my parents. But it didn’t take long before I was back to feeling excited to get on that bus every day with my new circle of friends, and happy to have my circle of family to come home to. There are so many other firsts. The first time I drove a stick shift (there was profanity and I think my mom may have peed in laughter a little), my first job (praised, not fired, by my new boss for reorganizing a chaotic display). Or! The day I met my husband, my wedding day, the day my first son was born. When I reminisce on these moments, yes, I remember the milestones and feel the pride of meeting the moment and making it mine. But I mostly remember my people. They turned worry into wonderful. And now, it’s time for another beginning, a new magazine that celebrates all the fantastic humans that make us the community we are. And as my new person, I am counting on your input! Begin with me today and move us into the middle of the story. It is knowing the chapter ahead that makes this one less scary. And my hope floats. Happy Reading,
Nicole Soulsby, Editor Something to add? Send your ideas and images to thelocalwg@emagency.com
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The Local
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