Goodbye for now

Tomorrow is my last official day at the newspaper before my maternity leave. While I admire women who can and want to work all the way up until the baby is born, I’m just too tired. With a membrane sweep and an induction coming up, I’d rather just spend my last days relaxing.

I’m sure I’ve been a sight these last few weeks waddling with my chair to the softball and baseball games. If you’ve noticed there haven’t been as many pictures as usual, it’s because I just can’t stand up on those steps for longer than an inning at a time without needing to sit.

It’s actually pretty disappointing to have to tap out of the season right now as the Panther girls are undefeated in the Hawkeye 10 and the boys are riding a nine-game win streak. Every sports reporter knows it’s a lot easier and more fun to cover a winning team!

There are some big games coming up, so I will definitely be keeping up on Larry Peterson’s stories. The boys host Kuemper Catholic next week and both teams will play Clarinda soon. Maybe if the baby hasn’t made an appearance, I’ll stop by one of the games and watch like the fans.

Overall, the timing of the baby was unintentionally pretty good — falling during the only dead time of the year for sports between summer and fall. Of course, I will miss the end of this season and unfortunately the beginning of fall sports.

If I’m able to take my full 12 weeks, I’d be back for week three or four of football. I’ll surely miss the beginning of cross country, volleyball and girls tennis - a new fall sport.

Of course Larry will be covering a lot in my place, but that leaves the rest to our reporters. Please be patient as they work extra to ensure the kids have coverage in my absence. They will be doing this while still covering all their normal beats — Greater Regional Health Board, Gibson Memorial Library Board, SWCC Board, Creston Parks and Recreation Board, Creston City Council, Afton City Council, Creston School Board, East Union School Board, Union County Board of Supervisors, Creston Waterworks and all the other meetings they attend on a weekly or monthly basis.

That’s a lot of work for two people. They will also have to take on my editing duties to help our sister papers, The Fontanelle Observer, the Adair County Free Press and the Osceola Sentinel Tribune. I’m sure Caleb Nelson in Greenfield and our news clerk Mandy McDowell will be a huge help for our two reporters.

All this to say, there will be things that aren’t covered that maybe normally are. Last summer we struggled through with four reporters. This summer that number will be cut in half.

If there’s anything you think deserves some coverage, feel free to send a photo and/or some information to news@crestonnews.com. Maybe we won’t be able to do a full story while I’m gone, but if we’re sent information, we can usually get something in the paper.

This isn’t to say the two of them can’t handle it. They can, and I know they will do a fantastic job; however, I ask readers to operate with empathy. No one does their best work while short staffed.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has been here through this journey with me. Since I started at the newspaper three years ago, I’ve gone through two rounds of IVF, been pregnant three times and miscarried twice. This column has given me space to share my experiences with others.

I know I have many people who have been thinking of and praying for my family, and now I’m about to meet my daughter. It still feels surreal, and somedays I’m convinced she isn’t actually going to ever make an appearance. But I’m as ready as I can be, and I’ll be back in September!