Happily Ever After

The Time Has Come

by Valerie Nusbaum

It’s said that all good things must come to an end. The time has come for me to hang up my pen and paper (or keyboard as it were) and bid adieu to Happily Ever After. It’s been a very enjoyable ride, but I’ve said everything there is to say—some of it twice, I’m sure—and it’s time for me to give you, dear readers, a break. This wasn’t a decision I made quickly or easily, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now. Last summer, I broached the subject of ending my run and then decided to go out at the end of 2023.

I started writing for The Catoctin Banner in July of 2008, so it’s been over 15 years, and that’s as long as I’ve stayed with any job. Deb Abraham Spalding and I had a conversation in my living room all those years ago, and Deb took a chance on me as a columnist. I remember my very first column was about our neighbor’s dog, Boomer. I compared some of the things Boomer did with some of Randy’s antics. Our neighbor, Nancy King, read the column and promptly ran over to our house with a dog biscuit for Randy! And, so it began.

Thank you, Deb, for taking that chance on me. Your support and encouragement have kept me going when my mind was blank. It’s been my honor and pleasure to work with you and all the staff at The Catoctin Banner, particularly Michele Tester, whose proofreading and editing skills kept me on track more than once. Thank you, Michele. I’ll see you at the beach!

I’ve been very fortunate to have a husband and partner in all things who can laugh at himself. Oh, he laughs at me, too—make no mistake about that. Some of you readers have chastised me for poking fun at the things that happen in our home, but, truthfully, if Randy and I didn’t have a sense of humor about our life, we’d be up the creek. Those of you who know us well know that our life hasn’t been all unicorns and rainbows, especially during the last six or seven years. It’s gotten more and more difficult to find things to laugh about, but I can always count on my husband of 30 years to make me smile or downright guffaw in a very unladylike manner. Thank you, Randy, for that, and for so many other things. Your positive attitude and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds have inspired me and many others to “put our shoulders into it and push.” The fact that you never complain, even when it’s understandable or expected, never ceases to amaze me.

My mom was also a source of inspiration and merriment. She had a good sense of humor, and she put up with a lot from her three children. I’m counting Randy as the third child because Mom often had a better relationship with him than with my brother or me. I’ll never forget the time I came downstairs to start breakfast and found Mom and Randy at the kitchen table discussing something I’d never dream of discussing with my mother! Randy seemed to be trying to make Mom feel sorry for him. After having my mother with me for such a long time (I’m old, remember?), I’ve been struggling to find my way without her this last year.

What will I do next? Who knows? The hubby and I are still fit enough to get out there and do things like travel, so we’ll probably do some of that. We have a whole bucket list of places to see. Are we leaving Thurmont? Nope. You’re stuck with us. We like it here and plan to stay until we can’t. Hopefully, I’ll see some of you around town. I definitely won’t become a contestant on Survivor or any other reality show. Randy, however, has plans to become the next Golden Bachelor if things don’t work out with me.

I’ve made a lot of friends and connections through this column, and most of the feedback has been positive and generous. I’d name names, but I’d be sure to forget someone (unintentionally, of course), and I don’t want any hurt feelings or angry townsfolk. Believe me, I’ve enjoyed your cards, letters, emails, and in-person comments and chats. Well, most of them, anyway. You’ve been gracious and friendly, and your kind comments are the reason I’ve kept writing as long as I have. You’ve been so thoughtful in taking the time to write and in surprising me with all kinds of goodness. Thank you for that.  I’ve always been amazed that anyone wanted to read what I wrote.

After roughly 185 columns, though, it’s time for me to say farewell to this chapter of my life. I’ll miss hearing from you, but I hope you know how much I’ve appreciated it all.

I’m wishing every one of you a very Happy New Year, filled with all good things. As my friend, Madeleine Sherald, used to say, “It’s been real, Camille.” She also said, “It’s been real, and it’s been good, but it ain’t been real good.” That doesn’t apply here. If you’re old enough to remember Lawrence Welk, I’ll say, “Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Weidersehen.” So long!