Editor's Letter
No Small Change
As the end of the year nears, it’s time to reflect.

Though I won’t reveal my presidential candidate of choice, I will borrow the campaigns’ themes: change. As our country experiences a market that seems to change every day and an election that will change the history books to include the first black presidential candidate and possibly the first female vice president this Nov. 4, my own life has been one of more-than-usual ups and downs.

For those who read my September column, my husband and I lost a beloved pet a few months ago. Recently, we adopted a new cat who is replacing our sorrow with excitement and curiosity as we get comfortable and learn each other’s personalities.

We also added to our land holdings, signing a check for 4.5 acres the day the Dow Jones Industrial Average made a historic nosedive, dropping 778 points. Ironic, isn’t it? While headlines screamed about credit freezes, it was business-as-usual for us. That same day we learned that our elderly neighbors would be moving out — no more chats across the fence or gifts of homemade jellies on the doorstep — leaving behind the life they’d known since 1958.

My father retired, stepping out of the job he’d had for more than 30 years. My mom lost more than 40 pounds.

I attended several funerals.

Friends married and had babies.

People moved away. New ones became part of the group. 

Change is all around for others, too. One of our featured celebrities found out she is pregnant right after being awarded her own show on HGTV.

In this issue, we’ve suggested a few volunteer organizations you can get involved with to change a stranger’s life, whether it’s helping a child through Johnson County Young Matrons or opening someone’s ears to the power of symphonic music through The Kansas City Symphony Guild. Charles and Patty Garney, Northland philanthropists, have dedicated their entire home to supporting worthy causes and share their list of preferred organizations.

Even the pages of our magazine show signs of change. We’ve created a more user-friendly gift section that should give you lots of great holiday gift ideas from local shops. And we’ve turned the traditional holly red and forest green Christmas color palette on its head by showcasing the home of Parkville resident David Boucher, whose vibrant interpretation of holiday decorating shines and shimmers with festivity.

Through all of our personal experiences, positive and negative, we should be grateful. Life is good, and dealing with what we’re dealt is all part of it. I have a wonderful family, true friends and a solid marriage with a man who still makes me giddy. In the end, that’s all that matters. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I hope we will all count our blessings, learn from our losses and keep a positive attitude about the future.

Andrea Darr,
Editor-in-Chief
adarr@kc-hg.com