Squeezin’ the Juice
by SVEA SAUER
(Publisher’s Note: A privilege of retiring columnists has always been their -30- column. Why “-30-”? In the days of setting type, that was always put at the end of a of column so the proof readers would know the column was complete. With that in mind, we offer Svea Sauer’s letter as her -30- column.)
I just realized my name is still listed in your masthead as a columnist and that I must make up my mind if my “vacation” is destined to end in dismissal. It wasn’t nearly as hard to give up my car as it is to say that I cannot gather my wits to write, knowing that one of the most rewarding associations in my life is ending. People talk about the hardships of old age but little is said about giving up rewarding work. The truth is that though I still have opinions, I cannot retain the facts which support them. I always try to supply some reference to facts and sources, if possible. So the time has come to “quit driving” and admit I am no longer capable.
In spite of this, I find the process of growing old interesting even though it means giving up so much. I am 96 and it is time to turn the world over to young people. I know when they are old they will say, as I do, that they lived in the best of times. All the wars, depressions, scandals fade into the background as we remember our first car and the excitement of our first job. All our compassion for the cold and the hungry dissipates in the fear of our own failing powers. The truth is we can no longer understand the music, the morés, or the mechanics of the present time and can only marvel that other people do. We are not even in Facebook!
I felt so rewarded by my recognition from the Texas Press Association, it seemed unfair to you for me to quit. On the other hand, I realized it was unfair to you to continue to write less capably than I believed I could. Unfortunately, I seem to have no control of what is happening to me. My keenest regret is having to quit before writing the really good column I know I once had waiting. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity. I will always be rooting for the continued success of my favorite newspaper, the Hays Free Press.
