Letter From the Editor: Somewhere in the Middle

There are so many stories in this issue that reflect where I am in life: somewhere in the middle.

I’m overwhelmed by the beauty in each story—the deep traditions of the Heintzelman and Vahey families, Anne Marie McNiven’s unwavering dedication to rediscovering herself and Kelly Stell’s unsuccessful attempt to recreate her mother’s recipe because only she can make it taste the way Kelly remembers it.

Kelly’s story reminded me that a recipe can be more than a recipe. Mary’s newspaper clipping preserved a moment in time—a young woman, a new city and a piece of herself that she passed down to the next generation.

Maybe that’s a bit of what I’m trying to do here. Starting traditions, rediscovering myself, hopefully leaving something behind for my own kids and yours.

Maybe they’ll do the same in the middle of their lives.

Together, these are stories about the things we keep: traditions, memories, family recipes and the people who shape us.

As always, thank you for continuing to read The Chat and sharing your stories.

In Community,

Megan Paszczykowski