Happy Birthday Living!

by Melodie M. Davis

Twenty years. Approximately the time it takes a baby to grow to adulthood. Not a bad analogy for the birthday of this paper, Living for the Whole Family, which debuted 20 years ago this year, 1991.

I have served as a regional editor of this “national” newspaper since its inception, and as national editor since roughly 1993, when Eugene Souder, founder, convincingly talked me into the role.

As we celebrate these 20 years of successfully publishing a solvent publication geared to the needs, issues and interests of families and their communities (families of all ages and stages), what has Living accomplished? To explore that a little, let’s recall the founding vision of Eugene. He was concerned about families who he sensed were struggling to find their way amid busy schedules, distractions, two-career families, divorce, step-families, discipline, drugs, and changing morals. But rather than throw up his hands in dismay, he wanted to try to “light a candle rather than curse the darkness.” Eugene wanted to provide a quality publication conveying help and hope for the struggles of families. He felt that strengthening families could strengthen communities. And he wanted to create a publication no one would have to forego because they couldn’t afford it—sponsored by advertisers who supported the mission of the magazine.

Okay, we still have busy schedules, divorce, drugs. Families probably have more distractions than ever—there was no widely-used internet 20 years ago, cell phones, texting, no Facebook! Living has not changed society, nor the world, but hundreds have written throughout the years of how much they appreciate what Living is trying to do. Hundreds of advertisers in three regions have supported it with hundreds of thousands of dollars—adding up to more than a million over the years. Hundreds of writers have been thrilled to have their stories and strong perspectives on family issues aired in Living even though we pay little more than peanuts—$35-50 per article.

We would love to see more communities using this family paper and welcome your suggestions and leads for areas where there would be a strong nucleus of support and an individual or group who would work to start a local edition.

Eugene was, and has always been, an entrepreneurial kind of guy—now in his 80s who has lived his Christian values and worked many hours and has worn out a lot of shoe leather pounding the streets to meet with advertisers. He has lit hundreds of candles as he invited others to share this vision of providing positive reading material to bear light on daily problems and issues. His “baby” has now grown up and is ready to have children—more editions strengthening more communities. That is my birthday wish at this 20th year mark. Happy birthday, Living. Thank you for your vision, Eugene. Thank you, advertisers, for providing this way of promoting strong family living.

Bringing a wanted baby into the world is somewhat risky, offers a sign of hope, and makes a statement about one’s affirmation of life. Eugene, and the founding board of directors, took that risk and offered that hope through Living. Now that Living is “grownup,” we hope and pray that it will thrive and “make babies“—new editions in new communities. You can help! Spread the word. Share your edition of Living. Invite others to access this web of support online and in person. And let us know of any community or person you think would be a strong candidate for wanting to have an edition of Living in their community.

©2009, Buxmont Living