Heartfelt thanks and happy trails

It's time to say goodbye.

I've decided to step into retirement starting Monday.

Of course, it's difficult to do such a thing. Transitioning to retirement brings a sense of sadness.

It reminds me of timeless cowboy Roy Rogers singing: "Happy trails to you, until we meet again."

I'm not exactly sure what my trail will look like, but there's no rocking chair waiting for me.

Instead, there are things I want to accomplish.

My path won't be typical.

Other folks retire to spend more time with a spouse, or kids, or grandchildren. Maybe even a pet. My situation is different.

I'll venture forward in an unbridled way along a trail of absolute freedom, no obligations or expectations. It'll be an opportunity to view surroundings through fresh eyes.

After 40 years, I want to pause, refocus and maybe even reinvent myself just a bit.

It's been an ever-changing journey.

My start at Hess's of Allentown, in PR and advertising, was a great way to launch a career. "Hollywood on Hamilton" was loaded with fun.

After that, it was 18 years as director of communications in a hectic Blue Cross-Blue Shield system. I commuted to ad agencies in Manhattan and traveled to Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Looking back, I'm grateful to have done my air travel before terrorism reared its head.

The most meaningful and cherished years have been the past 18 at the Times News, where I first freelanced in 1975. I feel fortunate to have been able to return to my hometown of Tamaqua and grateful to describe events that helped shape lives.

It's been rewarding to write columns and editorials, and deeply moving to build feature stories around fascinating local residents.

It also was worthwhile to pursue investigative reporting and to research crime, medicine, education, culture, music, religion, environment and history.

Just about any story can be compelling when told with passion and sensitivity, and that's what I tried to do.

If I met with any level of success along the way, I owe it to the opportunity presented by the Times News and Pencor Services Inc.

I'm very thankful for the mission begun long ago by late visionary Claude Reinhard and his family.

I also owe everything to Fred and Scott Masenheimer, publisher and vice president of operations, who foster an environment that encourages growth and exploration.

Occasionally, I wrote stories other newspapers would have considered taboo. But the Times News is a leader in freedom of expression. It's been a distinct advantage and one I've never taken for granted.

I also appreciate three editors in succession who coped with my eccentricities: Bob Parfitt, Bob Urban and Marta Gouger.

The Times News is a family unit - news and sports, composition, layout, display, classified, circulation, press, TN Online and subscribers.

The glue that holds the family together is you, the loyal reader. I'm thankful for the trust you placed in me and for your many story ideas and news tips. You helped shape my career every day.

I've also been blessed with moral support from my sister and brothers and others now gone, among them my parents and a great-aunt, Emma Meinhart-Hahn.

Aunt Emma lived in my mom's family homestead in Bowmanstown and was gifted in the art of needlework. One of her creations was an oak-framed sampler - a colorful, small tapestry. It featured the stitched image of a boy soaring a kite so high, and read: "Come fly along with me. The best is yet to be."

Her tapestry hangs in my kitchen, a daily reminder to aim high. And that's what I intend to do.

I feel just as inspired and excited today as nearly 60 years ago on Fireline Road near Palmerton, at my dad's family homestead.

Back then, I'd reach high above my head to grab a treat from the kitchen cookie jar of "Pappy" Harold Serfass. I never knew what to expect, but it usually turned out to be iced oatmeal, my favorite. And so I learned that good things can happen when we reach up with hope and optimism.

I won't stop writing. There's a chance you'll see me again. I believe I haven't yet produced my best work. The best is yet to be.

Still, the time has come to retire.

Thanks for being an important part of my life. I feel honored if I was able to be a small part of yours.

I wish you the happiest of happy trails.

Most of all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my friend.

Contact Donald R. Serfass at dserfass@tnonline.com.