I promised I would continue to write when I had something to say. Just over one week since I penned my last "official" column for South Bay's Neighbor Newspapers, and the one thing that comes to mind is how very much I do love to write.

Friday was a day of firsts for me . . . The first week in over 13 years not preparing for a deadline, and more to the point of this musing {I'm not sure it can be properly classified as a "column"}, the first time in 682 weeks that I did not file a contribution under the ol' In Step with Jamie Lynn Ryan moniker. Strange, indeed.

This past week has been one of adjustments - from not hitting snooze repeatedly when my alarm went off in the morning and heading off to work at a "normal" time, to arriving home before dusk most evenings, and dare I say, taking a few hours to relax and unwind, even eat a proper meal, before going to bed at a decent hour and beginning the cycle all over again.

In between, there has been the learning curve of a new position; more than that, the getting used to of no longer being a part of the old one. As was pointed out to me, my longevity in serving as editor and columnist for this last decade-plus has brought about an interesting qualifier. Not only am I beginning a brand new job, but this is the first one I have had the privilege of starting since shortly after my graduation from college. Not exactly a routine process for someone who, quite honestly, has always thrived on structure.

As I wrote in my final contribution to the old chapter, change is truly the one constant; the sooner we all adjust to that fact and learn to embrace it, the better. Not all of it is designed to inflict upheaval upon our lives either. Some is unequivocally for the best, as it opens our eyes to possibilities we never dared to dream before.

Fridays may continue to feel a bit odd to me for the foreseeable future. I think that is only natural. But the writing, the ideas . . . they will always continue to blossom, beckoning to be transcribed when the moment strikes.

No deadlines. No word counts. Just pure expression.

That is a change I believe I can get used to.

Published: September 9, 2018