I hate writing farewell columns. I never really know what to say in them, and whatever I write never is good enough to convey the strong, personal feelings I have for the community I’m leaving.
I’ve been a traveler for much of my newspaper career. As I’ve stated in this space before, my resume includes stops in seven states over my 39-year professional lifespan.
I’ve worked in some outstanding places, including Boerne and Kendall County. In fact, this place ranks at the top of the list.
Being a man whose work is the truth, that simply is the truth.
I’ve really never ever wanted to leave. There are so many wonderful people here, and our city and county has so much potential.
But…
I’d love to tell you I’m saying adios and going to work in the front office for the Chicago Cubs, my favorite professional sports team. A new baseball season is almost underway, and hope springs eternal, even on Chicago’s north side.
Going back close to my hometown and my Northwest Indiana roots would be awesome. And maybe many of you would say good riddance if I abandoned the Lone Star State.
But, alas, I’m not leaving Texas for the Windy City. Besides, once I started bleeding newspaper ink, it’s tough to bleed anything else.
Newspapers have been my life. And despite what some folks say to the contrary, the printed word and the community newspaper have a strong future if written and managed correctly.
I’d also like to say I’m moving on to greener newspaper pastures, but that’s not the case. There just aren’t many community newspapers better than your Boerne Star.
Believe me, being employed in all those other places over the decades, I’ve been around the block a time or two. I know what’s good and what’s not.
The Boerne Star is good. The Boerne Star works.
It just may be time…
And retirement? What’s that?
Nope. Not yet.
So, here I sit wondering what to say and how to say it.
How does one say goodbye to a great place filled with great people?
Who do I thank? Who do I mention in a farewell?
I know I can be long-winded with my words at times, but even I don’t have that much space here and now.
Maybe I should simply repeat how I always end my columns, my tagline if you will.
As always, thanks for reading.
I’ve used those words for years, for decades…ending every single column with that heartfelt phrase.
After all, I always have been extremely thankful for all of you. I’ve said before that I wouldn’t be here or anywhere in my profession today or in a brand new place tomorrow without you.
I write because you want to read. I report because you want to be informed. I work long hours and am responsible for putting out two quality newspapers each and every week here because you want to take the time to know what’s going on.
It’s always worth the effort.
And I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
Sincerely.
I thoroughly have enjoyed being your scribe of information, your source for the scoop and working for the one local publication that gives you the facts you need.
It has been a privilege to have been here for almost three years.
Wow. Three years already. Where does the time go?
Boerne and Kendall County have gone through a lot during my local tenure – some of it good, some of it not so good.
We’ve laughed together, cried together and gotten upset together.
We’ve asked questions together, and we’ve gotten answers. We’ve scratched our heads and nodded in agreement.
We’ve shared in both the excitement and the disappointment – the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
But my point is that we’ve done it together through the thick and the thin for almost 300 editions of your favorite newspaper.
That means something. Actually, that means a lot.
So, my “thanks for reading” is very heartfelt and sincere, but not enough.
But, it’s really all I have.
And, I ask and encourage you to keep on reading.
Sigh.
So again, as always, thanks for…
Hold on. Wait a second. Check today’s publication date. Look at the dateline at the top of this page just above my headline to this column.
Happy April Fools’ Day!
Yes, that means I’m really not going anywhere – as far as I know.
Cheer or jeer. It’s up to you.
Just please don’t kick me off your good side for trying to have a little fun here and joke around with you on this silliest of “holidays.”
My apologies, folks. I’m… still…here. Gotcha!
And, as always, and especially today, thanks for reading!
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