My Final Column: Another Passage
By Lesley Iwinski
Every month during the years my children were young, I settled in my chair – with a deep sigh of anticipation at the opportunity to relax for 20-30 minutes – to read the latest issue of Lexington Family Magazine.
At the dining room table with a cup of coffee at my elbow and sometimes as the sunshine filtered through the leaves sending shadows dancing on the table, I settled in to enjoy one of my favorite monthly rituals.
Like so many in Central Kentucky, I enjoyed reading Lexington Family Magazine. It was guaranteed to be uplifting, interesting, relevant, filled with ideas, and it included a calendar of events that inspired family activities and adventures.
The magazine came home in the backpack of my youngest child for many years, sometimes bent among the sandwich wrappers and school papers at the bottom, but always a welcome sight.
Around 2009, I had the opportunity to meet John Lynch, the editor, when my colleague Schuy Roop and I reserved a table at Lexington Family Magazine’s annual Summer Camps & Activities Fair.
We were looking forward to sharing information about our new undertaking: Growing Peaceful Families, a parent support, education and encouragement resource.
The Camp Fair was colorful, welcoming and bright, and filled with life and entertainment and samples and brochures. Up to 3,500 people would stream through the Fair in only four hours, so the event was brimming with vitality. I remember seeing John, walking around with a big smile, greeting everyone. You could see that he loved it!
After attending the Fair a second time, John asked if I would be willing to write a monthly column on Positive Parenting. I was honored, excited, and terrified all at the same time. I gratefully accepted his offer and have been writing for him since 2012.
John is a kind and resourceful editor. He is affirming, encouraging and he challenged me to explore topics I was hesitant to write about.
Over the years, we shared our own parenting experiences. I loved hearing about his son, Jack. Looking back, I think we gradually became friends, bonding over our acknowledgement that parents needed a place to turn for simple, loving guidance.
We both hope the Positive Parenting Column has offered thoughts and ideas that lifted you up and offered you ways to connect with and nurture your children.
I know I say goodbye with a sense of sadness, but with gratitude that I was able to both benefit from and to contribute to Lexington Family Magazine over the last 20 years.
To view past Positive Parenting columns, visit the Archives section here.
To read editor John Lynch’s farewell column, click here.
Dr. Lesley Iwinski is the mother of three grown children, a family physician and owner of Growing Peaceful Families, LLC. She offers classes, workshops and seminars. Info: (859) 333-3053 or www.growingpeacefulfamilies.com.