As of this past Monday, I am 40 years old, the big four-oh, over the hill.
I went to elementary school in the ’70s, high school in the 80s, both Catholic. The following four years in the U.S. Army, complete with seven months in the Middle East during the first Gulf War, still stand out.
I joined up in time to wear World War II-era steel-pot helmets, switching to kevlar after basic training, and carry Vietnam War-era rifles. I think the ones we used in basic were used in Vietnam. One went off when I’d try to put it on “safe.”
Then three years at Ohio State for my journalism degree, five years writing for community newspapers in Genesee County, three more years of school at University of Michigan-Flint for a master’s degree in education.
A few years working security and substitute teaching here and there brings me to The Clarkston News ? three years in September.
Forty years of experience across the country and around the world, hopefully of use now here as editor. I’ve learned enough to know what kind of job this is.
I get to head out into the community, meet and talk to all sorts of folks doing all sorts of things, instead of working in an office all day.
Wander the sidelines at high school sports, trying to get a decent action shot.
Fly a radio-controlled model airplane.
Talk to celebs.
Most surprising has been opportunities I’ve had to help people, which I didn’t expect and appreciate greatly.
It helps when the community comes through with support whenever I write about neighbors in need. That surprised me, too.
A mom appealed for help to get her daughter something nice for Christmas. So readers filled the office with presents. One brought in a new bicycle.
Who does that? Well, people here do that.
That makes this a great job.
I’ll keep doing this as long as I can, hopefully a while more. I still have much to learn.
But I’m still young.