Editor's Musings

Editor's Musings

Opening thoughts from the editor's desk.

Sharon Cress is editor of the Journal.

We moved awhile back. Part of getting settled is reassembling the grandfather clock. Until that is done, it just doesn't seem like home. The Westminster Chimes are a soothing and welcoming sound. But this time, something was wrong. The pendulum would not hang properly. Jim and I finally decided we needed "professional" help. We called our friends Gary and Rae to the rescue. Gary's hobby is clocks. So we "struck" a deal—I would cook supper for all of us and he would fix the clock. Quickly, he discovered a little broken piece, handcrafted a replacement, and had it properly repaired. The pendulum began to swing back and forth and the familiar sound of ticking filled the kitchen. Gary and Rae departed and the pendulum stopped. We started it. It stopped. Gary came back. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the clock. Each morning in frustration I started the pendulum. Minutes later, it stopped, Weeks went by and one day I stood looking at the clock. What was wrong? Suddenly, I tilted my head. The clock was not level. It was not balanced. It leaned just slightly to the right. Quickly, I got down and began rotating the levelers at the base. The clock stood straight. I started the pendulum. That was several months ago. The pendulum is still swinging in perfect time, the chimes now sound their familiar welcome, and the kitchen seems whole again. I won't pontificate—you get the point. Balance. Sometimes I don't tick right because I am simply out of balance. What about you?

God bless you all.