Age has never meant much until this year.
Yes, there are those threshhold years — 16, 18 and 21 — that youth eagerly anticipates, but the other years just aren’t that significant. When you’re lucky enough to turn 30, 40, 50 or 60, it’s cause for jubilation, not depression. Not everyone gets to add another year.
So it’s been a bit out of the ordinary that this year’s birthday celebration takes on monumental significance. This one is birthday, Christmas and all the other holidays rolled into one. It’s taken me 65 years to get there. Technically, that won’t even happen until next Tuesday, but I’m starting early.
Thursday marks my last day at The Gazette and the beginning of retirement.
Imagine it: No alarm clock ringing at 5:30 a.m. No hustling to the sheriff’s office to pick up the log. No staying up ’til all hours writing a story after a night-time school board meeting. No more special editions and no more deadlines.
No doubt it will be difficult to fall out of that routine, and no doubt I’ll miss those voices on the phone and the education strangers have given me at no cost over the years. The list of truly good people I’ve met because of The Gazette is a long one.
Since 1963, when I came here as a keypunch operator and college student, I’ve worked with and for some wonderfully intelligent people along the way — W.L. and Kathrine White, Ted McDaniel, Ray Call, Nancy Horst, Lea Ringler and Pat Kelley, just for starters. I hope I learned from all of them. Some became like family; add Glen Bradshaw, Glenn Johnson and Moris Dell to that list. And there were others. Many others.
Our executive editor, Gwen Larson, and I laugh about my being her boss when I left The Gazette in 1994. She’d moved to the top of the newsroom ladder by the time she hired me back as a reporter in 2004. It’s been fun in both roles.
But it’s time to move on and, really, what can compare with the retirement I envision?
I’m hoping the next four weeks will be filled with the sheer joy that a 13-year-old grandson brings. I’d tell you how bright and witty and mature he is, and how he tolerates old folks really well, but that would just be boasting. Just know I’ve literally waited years to be able to spend a chunk of the summer with him and, at this age, there’ll be no work involved, only fun.
He’ll go back to class all too soon, though, and I’ll have to wait for school holidays to enjoy his company again. So, I’ll find something productive and useful and perhaps lucrative to fill some of those idle hours.
And the rest of the time? Maybe I’ll use it to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
Bobbi Mlynar
Reporter
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Not every reporter gets to be portrayed in a movie by Kathy Bates, either. Congratulations on a great career and a much deserved retirement! I, for one will miss you in the news pages.
July 20, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Bobbi, your reporting will be missed but am so very glad you will get to spend more time with your grandson, yes! they are Gods gift. You in your own right, have been a treasure that we will surely miss reading your thoughts. Sixty-five is only a number, now let's see you do that back flip or play that piano!
July 20, 2010 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I shall miss your familiar voice and spot on reporting, Bobbi. You have been a fine addition to that old newspaper, credible and responsible.
About that age, I agree with sandman. It's only a number. I promise you, you'll be busier now than you have ever been.
Yes, learn to play piano if you don't already know how and here's a great idea -- learn to quilt! Take the Quilting 101 course at Prairie Pieces and the rest of your life will never be the same. You will meet some wonderful ladies and make great new friends. Join the Emporia Regional Quilt Guild. We meet once a month and present all kinds of guest speakers who are fabric designers or use special techniques.
July 21, 2010 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Bobbi, well I knew you were retiring but are you sure you are turning 65?
Girl, you don't look a day over 39 !
Will miss your reporting.
Steve
July 21, 2010 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NancyHorst (Nancy Horst) says...
I'm not a regular contributer here but I cannot let Bobbi retire without some comment! Not only is she a dear friend but she is an outstanding writer and gatherer of information. I will miss her crystal clear writing and her fair and accurate reporting. Honestly I won't miss those Because You Asked questions, but I have a feeling I will be getting those from another source! I am happy Bobbi that you finally get to slow down a bit and enjoy life.
July 22, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )