Assignment number two for the new paper, I headed out to a night at the fair. Always a reminder that I’ve officially relocated to the south when these outdoor events are happening all year long…there’s something to having the world to explore all year long without losing a few fingers to frostbite.

First assignment out of the gate for The Tallahassee Democrat. As a newcomer to town; I really love the look of the city, totally unexpected in Florida. I’m living on elm tree-lined, hilly streets and watching the fall colors. But the warmth is still perfect for an outdoor parade just short of Thanksgiving. I could get used to this.

There have been quite a few changes in my life over the past few months:

I’ve moved across the state of Florida, hung up my writer cap and turned in my badge for the Sun-Sentinel to put back on the old comfort of photojournalism with a new outfit in the Tallahassee Democrat. This change has been been welcomed and is an opportunity I’m thrilled with. Then there is the other side of the coin: I lost two of the most important women people in my life: my grandmother, a family member that has meant the world to me recently passed away. For her I write:

You spoiled me rotten as a child. Not just with the way you loved, and your love was unending for all of us, but in the way you made sure I always felt taken care of. There is no one you met that didn’t walk away feeling as if they truly mattered to you, a testament to how selfless you could be, leaving others marveling at how incredible you are.

I will always believe myself to be a stronger person for knowing this world could create such beauty. I will forever aspire to be as gracious, caring and wonderful as you.

Falling with those same tears, within the same moments in time, I lost, quite possibly, the love of my life – a woman that I’ll always cherish the time I had with, even though my memories are challenged to break past the pain that now embodies my recollections of her.

I couldn’t have been be more devastated. To her I say:

Erin, I hope you find the life you’ve always dreamed of, I’m sorry I won’t be there to see the joy it brings you.