laura hough smith

I began writing these columns for the Delta Democrat Times about two years ago. At the time, I was managing editor of the newspaper, the Cardinals were in the playoffs, Wesley and I had one child, and I was still deeply mourning the loss of my mom.
Some things haven’t changed; my beloved Cardiac Cards are playing baseball in the postseason.
Yet, I write now under an entirely different set of circumstances. Many of these columns are typed while I’m giving a bottle to a sleepy Mary Finley instead of sitting cross-legged in the editor’s chair in the DDT newsroom.
I’m an editor of a very different kind now. I’m supervising the Washington School journalism staff, and my challenge is to step back and let these talented teenagers take the reins of the school’s publications. It’s my job to give advice, offer solutions and impart my tips and experience when they’re needed. It’s not easy now as we all become accustomed to our new roles, but when we come out on the other side of this year, as it is with any news staff, we’ll be family.
I wrote this column weekly as DDT managing and Accent editor before I slowed to a monthly routine when I began teaching. My mom was the subject of many of those first columns, and sharing my memories of her has been invaluable to me. Many times I cried at the computer and hit save through tears. Those are the columns that these sweet readers wrote to me about. You stopped me in the grocery to kiss my babies or to share with me your story, and I thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m writing all this to say that this is my final column for the newspaper. The DDT publisher has implemented a new rule that requires outside columnists to submit work that is focused solely on Greenville. My ramblings about my children, mama, sister and southeast Missouri don’t fit the bill, so this is my last column for the paper. I understand the publisher’s desire to have a local focus, and I appreciate the space I’ve been given here for these couple of years and especially this space today. Thank you.
My sister, Morgan, and I have been working for a few months on a way to make these columns available digitally. I’ll be writing there as often as my children will allow. The blog where you’ll find my archived columns and newest work is laurahoughsmith.wordpress.com. I hope you’ll join me there.
To those who have taken the time to read this column for all these Sundays, thank you.

© Laura Hough Smith and laurahoughsmith, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Laura Hough Smith and laurahoughsmith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.