Change.
It’s something that can be embraced or frowned upon. Change can be scary or exciting.
In the upcoming weeks or months, there will be two changes that will affect our country or this publication. The first change is U.S. President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race.
Biden, who was elected in 2020, decided on Sunday not to seek re-election. This means another candidate will carry the banner of the Democratic Party to face Republican Party nominee and former President Donald Trump.
The second change that will take place affects this publication. In two weeks, I will no longer be the general manager of this newspaper.
I have answered a call from the Good Lord to return to the Temple/Killeen area to assist my mother and grandmother in taking care of their home. I will also be working for another publication in the area.
The decision to leave Freestone County was a difficult one. It’s one that led to lots of prayer and some lost winks of sleep.
Ultimately, the call to help take care of family needed to be answered. The timing of this couldn’t have come at a better time.
My grandmother has dementia and has a difficult time remembering whether or not she ate breakfast. Fortunately, my wife worked in a nursing home for three years, and has dealt with her share of dementia patients.
While Grandma’s memory is fading, she is still able to walk on her own sans using a cane to navigate the stairway. However, Mom (or Gran as my kids call her) is having difficulties taking care of Grandma and the house by herself in addition to working full time.
Now they will have help. I already juggle work, family time and yard work at our place in Fairfield, so doing the same in Temple won’t be an issue.
To my readers and friends, I will miss you guys. It’ll be difficult to leave behind our friends at First United Methodist Church, the men’s coffee group, Rotary Club, Lions Club, the places I deliver newspapers to, and the coaches and athletes who I covered at the Big 3 - Fairfield, Teague and Wortham.
To the wonderful people who assisted me with newspaper coverage Mitchell Pate, Roxanne Thompson, Melissa Perez, Jennifer Lansford, Mildred Hempel, Claire Partain, Billy Patterson, and many others who contributed articles, photos or advertising to my publications - thank you. We couldn’t do what we do without you guys.
I hope to see some or most of you guys during the next two weeks. Thank you for embracing my family and me during the last two years.
Jason Chlapek is the general manager of the Fairfield Recorder. He can be reached at editor@fairfield- recorder.com.
