So Long, Farewell
Words by Mary Alayne B. Long
About ten years ago, not long after boldly announcing that I knew enough people and had enough friends and would be fine if I never met another new person for the rest of my life, I met Laura Quick. In the event you are unaware; she is the founder of Good Grit magazine, and she is lovely and delightful and once she’s on your team—you can’t lose. She will pump you up and help you grow and will never cease to surprise you with her friendship and support. In the years since we met, she has brought so much joy into my life and I am forever grateful that God knew best when He crossed our paths.
That first meeting took place at a Good Grit Magazine event in Seaside, Florida where we talked for far too long and made a plan to meet for lunch back in Birmingham the next week. At that very luncheon, right then and there at the table, she offered me space on the pages of this magazine—and she’s kept that space for me ever since. She has also spent a decade supporting and shouting loudly (in a purposeful, kind and confident voice) about my writing and storytelling. When I switched gears to get a microphone in my hand, she was right there cheering me on—and continues to do so.
In recent years I’ve bounced around on the pages of this magazine from unsolicited opinions to question and answer columns and even a few narrative pieces under a pen name. I almost always write in my own voice (which is most definitely based in Southern Humor) and while my work, in print and on stage, does focus on making folks laugh; there’s always been a place in my heart for philanthropy. For the last several issues of this magazine, the Good Grit Family has let me turn my focus to the non-profit community—and in doing so they’ve allowed me to share the stories of so many organizations doing so much good work. The never ending grind of fundraising can weigh heavy on the hearts and minds of those who devote their lives to this important work. I’m glad if by sharing their stories I have helped them in any small way.
And now the time has come for me to say goodbye to another chapter in my time at Good Grit.
I won’t be writing any more stories about charitable organizations, but never fear—I am not saying goodbye to this magazine—or to you dear reader. Moving forward I’m not quite sure where I will land on these pages. Clearly, it’s been a wild and crazy ride thus far, and I’m not jumping off the motorcycle quite yet. It seems as though these folks want to keep me around no matter how often I try to tell them I’m not exactly sure how I fit in around here. Chalk it up to a band of misfits who all find a way to fit together, to put good stories on paper, and who do all they can to make the world a happier, brighter, kinder place with the words they share.
In upcoming issues I will be glad to find new ways to entertain you, make you laugh and keep you coming back for more. I do so hope you will tune in to see what I write about next. And I hope to see you out and about as I broaden my reach throughout the South. I’ve met so many of you already and can’t wait to meet more of you as I travel around from one small town to the next.
In the meantime, you can follow along with my adventures on Instagram @thealabamahousewife and you can learn more about me, my work, and ways to see me tell stories in person by visiting www.thealabamahousewife.com.