Live well, love well, be well: Bidding my dear readers farewell
It's been an honor to share my multiple sclerosis story with you all
When I started this column nearly seven years ago, I thought I had a couple years of material in me at best. It’d be a fun experience writing twice a month, getting some thoughts out there into the world and hopefully helping some people in the process.
It certainly has been that — and a lot more. I’ve gotten the chance to talk about my love of attending rock concerts, my cats, and my kids. I shared my highs and my lows. I even got the chance to help people through all the long, horrible months of COVID-19, when we were all so isolated and worried about what would happen next. Any topic was on the table so long as I could make it relevant to multiple sclerosis (MS), and I took that as a personal challenge.
I love learning new things and teaching them to others. And I hope I’ve done that during my time as a columnist for Bionews, the publisher of MS News Today.
I know I’ve changed for the better in that time. I’ve become kinder and more patient with everyone, especially myself. I’ve learned how to be a better leader and to take more risks. I’ve also learned to let things go because I can’t control everything. Like author and Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom, “I have learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands.”
Thank you for coming on this journey with me, for walking along the road of discovery with me as a friend and co-laborer. MS brought us together, and for that, I’m grateful. It has been an honor to share my story with you, and to hear back from many of you as you shared your own stories, heartbreaks, and triumphs.
I’m happy to report my reason for leaving is also cause for celebration. I’m moving on to a new phase of my career. I’ll be serving as my company’s director of content — a position that will require a great deal more of my creative energies and deep thinking — so I can’t commit myself to any freelance work for the foreseeable future.
I’m sorry to have to stop penning these little missives I sent floating out in bottles across the internet twice a month. But maybe one day you’ll see another one bob on by. Who knows?
Let’s raise a glass
In my long-ago first column, I opened with a quote from Howard Jones’ song “Things Can Only Get Better.” And interestingly enough, I just saw him in concert here in Atlanta a few weeks ago. (He was freaking excellent, by the way. If you have a chance to see him, go!) He sang all the classics you’d expect — “What Is Love?,” “No One Is to Blame,” “Everlasting Love,” and “Like to Get to Know You Well” among them.
He sang one song that I wasn’t expecting: “Life in One Day,” an upbeat track filled with synth and electronic drumbeats about not wishing your life away. The second verse and chorus seem a fitting benediction as this column draws to a close.
“The old man said to me
Said you can’t change the world single-handedly
Raise a glass enjoy the scenery
Pretend the water is Champagne
And fill my glass again and again
While the wolves are gathering ’round your door
Time will wear away the stone
Gets the hereditary bone
Don’t try to live your life in one day
Don’t go speed your time away.”
And so, dear readers, I raise a glass to you — Champagne or water, it hardly seems to matter. I’m off on a new adventure, and I wish you well as you continue in yours. Maybe we’ll cross paths again someday, perhaps when MS is eradicated from the face of the earth. And won’t that be glorious?
Until then, live well, love well, and be well.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Comments
Lin Humphrey
This is the only post I have read of your but I can tell you have the same positive attitude I have got. I really hope your next move will prove to be very successful & you will remain as happy as you appear to be in this posting.❤️
Jamie Hughes
Lin, thanks so much! My columns will stay up for a long time to come if you ever want to come back and give one a read. Positivity has always been my goal for writing these, and as an encourager by nature, it was also fun to do. Thanks for the love!
Cynthia
We will miss you ! Have enjoyed your thoughts and encouragement . Thanks
Jamie Hughes
Cynthia, thanks so much. I'm glad to know my words fell on a receptive heart and that I helped you in some small way. Be blessed!
BONNI J. MOWER
I have not had the pleasure of enjoying your comments and follow you through your journey, but you sound like someone I would like to know better and have in my life, on any level.
Good luck going forward. Be safe, be well.
Warmly,
Bonni J. Mower
Jamie Hughes
Bonni, the good thing is this column will stay up forever (as far as I know). So whenever you need a little encouragement, it'll be here for you to read. Thank you for leaving a kind word!
Debbie
We'll miss you and your positive outlook. Good Luck on your new adventure!!
Jamie Hughes
Thank you so much, Debbie. I always did my damndest to be positive because we all need it so much in the MS community. Knowing I did that makes me feel warm down to the cockles of my heart (wherever THOSE are)! Thank you for the well wishes.
Debbie
I have loved reading your posts and I do with you farewell but I also wish you great endeavors ahead which I'm sure you'll meet with no problems.
Jamie Hughes
Debbie, that makes my heart sing. I never quite knew who all was reading my stuff unless the commented. It tickles me pink to know that you were there all along and enjoying my little bottles with messages inside.
Abbey (UK).
Bob voyage, Jamie,
Thanks, so much, for your writings, most especially for taking up your precious time to write, and share, them with us MSers - they'd brought peace, calm and comfort
Wishing you all that you wish for yourself,
Be well, love, Abbey xx
Jamie Hughes
Abbey, that was always my goal. Thank you a thousand times over for letting me know I accomplished that. Thank you for the well wishes. They truly mean the world to me.
Cathy Chester
Best of luck to you on your new adventure. It sounds exciting and worthwhile. Stay well, be well, and enjoy life whenever you can! Best to you, Cathy Chester
Jamie Hughes
Thank you, Cathy. I appreciate the kind words of encouragement more than you'll ever know.
Betty Stoddard
Jamie, congratulations on your expanded endeavor!
We celebrate with you...even as we miss your wise and pithy letters. Helpful to so many of us MSers.
All the best, Betty Stoddard, Raleigh, NC
Jamie Hughes
Wow, Betty! Wise AND pithy!? Now you're just making me blush! :) Thank you for the kind words of praise. I certainly needed them. The columns will stay up, even while I'm not on the site, so please feel free to share some with those in need. And who knows, I may be back before too long. Open hands...always.
Marg Millard
I have been reading your posts for the past few years. Thank you.
Jamie Hughes
Marg, that blesses me more than you could ever know. It feels like you're writing and shooting things off into a vacuum sometimes. It's so good to be reminded that that's not the case. I thank you for sticking with me!
anna barker
Thank you for your kindness, words of wisdom, and education. Best wishes on your new endeavors.
Jamie Hughes
Many thanks, Anna. I am going to work my hardest to be worthy of the trust they're placing in me. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement.
Sonja Holland
You have been successful in your endeavors. Live well, love well, be well should be the MSer's daily mantra. Thank you for all your hard work in keeping us aware of these facts.
Jamie Hughes
Thank you, Sonja! I try to live by those words all the time, and I never fail to be amazed by how rewarding it is. I thank Orthodoxy for teaching me something about it and helping me reframe my understanding. Be blessed, love.
Susan
I will miss reading your post and your positive outlook. I wish you well as you start a new chapter in life with new adventures and exciting triumphs on the horizon. You will be missed but not forgotten. Congratulations!!
Jamie Hughes
Thank you so much, Susan. I take such kind words deeply to heart. Hopefully, I can come back before too long. But when, like Bilbo Baggins, I started to feel like "butter scraped over too much bread," I knew something had to give.
Jamie Hughes
Positivity was always the goal, and I'm so glad I managed that. Thank you for letting me know and for the well wishes. I appreciate them!!
Alfreda Walls
You will be missed. Congratulations on your career growth. Enjoy your life 🍾💐
Jamie Hughes
Thank you so much, Alfreda. I am going to do my darndest to excel!
Dave
Thank You. Best Wishes in your future.
Jamie Hughes
Thanks so much, Dave!
Leanne Brougton
Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you.....a little. I also am a big fan of Howard Jones. Best of ĺuck in your future endeavours.. i have enjoyed you columns.
Jamie Hughes
Thanks for leaving me a note, Leanne. I'm so thrilled to know you've been right there reading along (and enjoying some Howard Jones with me) all these years!
Sherry Bennett
Dear Jamie, Congratulations on your new position! I don't always take the time to read my e-mail including MS News Today, my very bad because I have missed your columns. Based on what you have shared in this farewell piece I have missed a lot. Thank you for that great quote from Corrie ten Boom about letting things go, been a challenge for me. I also hate asking for help, so if you have one of those Bilbo Baggins days just ask a coworker for some more butter. They are so lucky to have you, such a lovely and talented writer! Thank you too for sharing lyrics from the Howard Jones song 'Life in One Day', excellent bedtime wisdom. All the best Jamie, you've got this, you have so got this!!
Jamie Hughes
Thanks so much, Sherry! The good news is that the columns will stay up even after I'm gone, so you can take your time going through them if you'd like. There's no shortage of pop culture to be found in what I've written. Go Gen X! :)
Garth Jensen
Jamie - Really sorry to see you are leaving. I am aged 73 and was diagnosed at 22, first attack at 18 so now have slow progressive in a wheelchair 100%. A neurosurgeon relative in Edmonton BC hooked me onto your column at the very start and I have been blessed to receive them in New Zealand every issue. I still keep most of them. I trust that the pressures of a new career won't be too stressful and I would be honored to meet you one day. Regards and blessings - Garth. xXx
Jamie Hughes
Garth, that is some wild news! To think all my little old words have been helping someone in New Zealand all this time! And at the recommendation of a neurosurgeon no less!? I tell you, that makes me feel some kind of fancy. And I would be thrilled to meet you in person one day as well if one of us is ever in the other's time zone.
I'm with the same company, just in a more expansive role. I think it'll be great once I get myself settled into the new rhythms of work. My current boss remains my boss, and we have a great relationship. So that's awesome! Thanks for the well wishes, and keep on keeping on. You got this!!!