Kaaren has written for Tui Motu magazine for 17 years and the December issue will be her last regular "Looking Out and In" column.

Kaaren began writing for Tui Motu in 2005 when Michael Hill and Frances Skelton were editing and producing the magazine and since then has become a favourite columnist among our readers. 

In this current issue she tells the story of how she came to take on the monthly column, first named "A Mother's Journal" and then in 2016 changing to its current title. 

We've heard over and over from readers how much they treasured the reflection she shared each month. It is her capacity to share insights and questions about daily life laced with discipleship without piosity that has kept us engaged. Of course, Kaaren's storytelling, her family, her familiarity with spiritual writings, her use of song and poetry, her compassion, her work as a doctor, the communities in which she's lived and her gift of writing, have added to the richness of her sharing. 

We are grateful beyond words to Kaaren. Thankfully, she is not leaving us permanently so we're not saying goodbye — as we did with another favourite spiritual writer Daniel O'Leary when he died. We are certainly going to miss her wisdom, humility and presence in the magazine.

If you'd like to add a personal message to the collection we'll make for Kaaren, send it to editor@tuimotu.org

Also, you can read a collection of Kaaren's columns from 2016 in the PUBLICATIONS section of our website.