Starting Over

So there's that rainbow!

After all the anger, the subterfuge, the pain, and finally, the sadness of watching the demise of a once-fine newspaper, and having to learn to let go, I can finally see the touch of grey clearing around those clouds and giving way to a beautiful, colorful, bright day.

I can now see the big picture and the most important thing I come away with from all of this is the enduring, wonderful friendships with people I would have never crossed paths with otherwise. I have been inspired, uplifted, tickled, and warmed by these folks who have become such a part of my life I cannot imagine being without them. And that is the rainbow after the storm of mourning the downward spiral of an entity that became, over the years, almost like a family member. I can understand the pain and grief of those who grew up with the Victoria Advocate, watching the transformation and eventual rotting of their hometown newspaper. When the Houston Post folded, I felt the same way, although its end wasn't reached by a similar, tasteless deterioration - the end result was the same. I abhored its death, but celebrated its once having been. The Victoria Advocate may still have lungs, but they are not really breathing, taking in the oxygen so desperately needed for this area. No, they are just existing now, not really a functioning member of the community any longer.

But, instead, now we have a fresh, new collective of bloggers, writers, jokesters, pundits and other assorted interesing characters that have gone beyond the constraints of a dying publication and found a home from which to share their thoughts, wisdom, sarcasm, and imagination.

It is a new day, with the most beautiful rainbow imaginable. Finally, peace is guiding the planets and love is steering the stars. Let the sun shine in!