Smelling the roses
Folks often remark, "Why don't you retire in time to enjoy smelling the roses." Well, gentle readers, as your Ol' Editor slowly slips into the retirement side of life, the realization is evident that he's been "smelling the roses" all these past decades.
Though the scud work must be done, and weekly newspaper publishing has a great share, those in our profession also have ample opportunity to "smell the roses."
We get special treatment, including being the bad guy at times. People refer to us as "our editor" and make us proud. Others call us "that damn editor" but we prefer to remember the fragrance of smelling the roses.
Of course, as you know, roses have thorns.
Forget the thorns and recall the sweetness of the perfume and gentle texture — the beauty of the roses.
Dozens of "smelling the roses" opportunities could be related over 55 years, but we won't. Suffice it to say, we've not only gone to countless commission meetings, we've also been to Europe 30 times, to China, and made trips all over the USA. Each are embedded in our memory, we recall the smell of those roses. And it's difficult, even if we desired (and we don't), to recall barbs of the thorns. They'll not be listed.
After your Ol' Editor thought he'd received all the awards KU, the 99th Infantry Division, and the Kansas Press Association offered (and our office walls show it) we then were overwhelmed by surprise last year to receive the international award for community newspaper editors.
That would be the last, the OE thought, and the walls are full.
This week, however, another significant award was received. And who'd have guessed it would come from Kansas State University? This topped the list and is no doubt the icing on our cake.
The Huck Boyd Foundation at K-State recognized your Ol' Editor as a "Leader of the Year" for activities as a newspaper editor.
How sweet those roses smell.
— BILL MEYER
