I know many readers were probably wondering what happened to the writer with the quirky sense of humor, the one who has the fluffy dog, Snoofy, and the convertible car.

The truth is my problem was pain. I previously shared my personal story of enduring a serious back injury and a three level decompression and fusion surgery.

After nearly going insane with boredom and joining the fabulous people here at the Times, I realized after several months of diligently becoming a newsie the act of sitting for long periods of time day after day rendered me disabled. But a newsie’s got to type.

As thoughtful as Barb, Sam and Mike were with allowing me a few different accommodations, I couldn’t ignore that old familiar voice in my mind, “Teresa you have nerve damage and continuing to sit at this desk is going to cause you further issues from swelling and numbness.”

Quite downtrodden, I wrote a letter of resignation and turned in my keys to the newsroom. I was disappointed because I love to write and I was in awe of the work that goes into this weekly paper.

And the amazing people that make it happen from the front desk and ad girls to the writers, editors, copy, graphics, design and layout to the printers and delivery people.

Wow, it’s a huge operation that makes this weekly paper and I am very proud to have been part of that. It was such a bittersweet two weeks that stretched into three weeks before Jordan Clary came along.

I thank her very much. She has inspired me in my somewhat ordinary life to really seek my purpose.

And as life shows us time and again, if you know what you want and you make a plan and follow through with the plan you get exactly what you wanted, based on your choices and actions (or non-actions) of course.

I have had the pleasure of bumping into some of you in the local markets or social events and I am humbled and pleased at how many kind words you shared about my columns. Thank you for that.

But if you know me at all you would know that I am not one to let pain or a disability get me down. I regrouped and recovered from the debilitating swelling causing my leg and foot to go numb and I found my purpose.

Maybe you remember my big adventure back in December when I attended training and graduated with four certificates which I am proud to say will allow me to open my own unconventional therapeutic office.

I am very excited to be helping people find inner peace and their purpose. I offer my services to everyone, friends, colleagues and business people.

Everyone is capable of reaching their goals and achieving their dreams. Like the late Steve Camacho was quoted saying, “the only truth in life is that change takes place.”

I was so excited when Sam called me and asked me to write a couple columns while he was out of town allowing me to pop in and say hello to my hometown and to say thank you to everyone for whom I have been privileged enough to write.

It was a treat, “thank you, Sam for having me back and Ruth you did a great job as captain of the ship.”