One door closes, another opens

March 31, 2009

It’s been an amazing two weeks in my life.

Last week, under the guidance of our daughter Rachel, Judy (blessed wife) and I explored the wonders of Southern California: The beaches of Hermosa, the esplanade of Santa Monica, the boardwalk of Manhattan Beach, the splendor and natural power of Joshua Tree National Park in the high desert, the snow-capped mountains of San Jacinto State Park and the desert oasis of Palm Springs. We even experienced a 4.8 temblor as we slept one night.

Today, I experienced one of the most humbling and moving events of my life. As I walked out of the newsroom where I’ve labored for 24 years, carrying my green backpack as usual, most in the room of 100-plus reporters, editors and managers rose to give me a standing ovation. I paused to blow kisses, wave and give them my "Popeye victory pose" with hands clenched above my head. I managed to hold back the tears of appreciation until I reached the car in the parking lot.

I’ve always appreciated my colleagues and workmates, but if I’ve ever thought ill of them, all is forgiven. That standing ovation was a real honor, especially since I was trying to sneak out unnoticed at 1:30 in the afternoon. I guess I thought wrongly about my status in the newsroom – I always tried to keep a low profile, so I assumed most reporters and editors didn’t know me very well or what I did.

Earlier in the day, as I made my "goodbye tour"of the building, I heard no malice or wisecracks about jettisoning a good job. Everyone wished me well. Columnist Donn Esmonde said: “It’s a pretty big risk you’re taking, but three years from now, I’ll bet you’ll be saying it’s the best thing you ever did.”

My friend Vince in graphics said: “Rico, I’m in denial that you’re leaving.”

So I thank them all and appreciate the good years we had together producing a really good daily newspaper. (That said, management still has to take strides to improve morale in the building. That's my last bit of advice)

So I came home, and under sunny skies with a spring nip in the air, I raised a toast to myself and then to my deceased colleagues Jay and Irene who, although they don’t know it, were instrumental in my decision to leave my longtime job and pursue a second career. (Then again, maybe they do know it.)

In the morning, before I left for work, I picked up a note my wife had left on the kitchen table. It said, “What an amazing day it is. Love you.” To that, I added, “It’s spring, a time for new beginnings and fresh growth. It’s almost Easter, too, time for resurrection and new hope.”

Later, as I sat down in the sparsely populated second-floor lunchroom of The News to eat my last meal there, I opened my brown bag and between the ham-and-rye sandwich, two-week-old orange and chocolate cookies, there was another note: “Be aware. Be glad. Love you.”

What a fabulous wife – and life! I couldn’t have done this without her.

And with that day done, one door closes. Tomorrow, another one opens, hopefully with many wonderful adventures.