Time for some change

Having turned 65 in April, I reached a point in my life when it was time to rearrange a few things.

I’ve been busy doing this job for a long time, and in recent years it quite frankly has progressively gotten more and more difficult for me to execute its duties with the type of effort and results I expect from myself. It’s not that my love for journalism and photography has waned, and I still get plenty of enjoyment and fulfillment out of documenting and producing stories about people, places and things within the realm of the Houston Herald’s sphere of influence. It’s just that I no longer feel like I can keep up the pace that’s required to do it full-time.

So, I’m not going to.

As of last week, I have cut back substantially. I’ll still do some sports reporting and photo-taking, but not to the extent I have been. And I’ll more than likely still run into a cool human-interest story here and there, and hopefully convey it in a feature article that does it justice.

But I won’t be doing all the sports and I won’t be on the clock for 40 hours a week.

This is kind of a mixed-feeling situation for me because I have for so long been comfortable with a routine and have become accustomed to doing similar things at certain times of year. But regarding the personal place I’m in, you’ll sometimes hear someone say something like, “you’ll just know when it’s time.”

That’s where I’m at; I know.

My wife Wendy and I intend to use the extra discretionary hours to enjoy each other’s company more, and probably even become avid walleye fishermen. And I’ll also be able to begin doing something I’ve been planning for quite a while now: Writing books.

While this transition has been in the making for quite a while, it has sort of accelerated in the past few years because my body has clearly shown me that I need to slow down and take better care of it. With that in mind, I have hip replacement surgery scheduled for July 16. Believe me, I am so looking forward to getting back to where I can enjoy walks on a winter evening with Wendy and our incredible canine companion, Scotty (the Scottie), and be able to do so many other things we all take for granted without extra effort or pain.

I expect the procedure to lead to a long overdue blessing in the form of a return to a more normal day-to-day existence.

Back to the job-related portion of the deal. Herald owner and publisher Isaiah Buse has already secured the services of a young man who will pick up the slack, so to speak, and I’m sure you’ll all be introduced to him in the not-too-distant future. I’ve met him, and my first impression is that he’s amicable and energetic, and he should be a good fit for this operation as time goes on.

As for this column, I’m not sure yet how much attention it will receive on a weekly basis, but I guarantee it won’t disappear. For that matter, I’m not at all sure yet what any of this (as some people would say) “will look like,” but I have absolutely zero doubt that this newspaper will continue being a well-above-average publication, because I view it as being in sound hands with Isaiah in charge.

Anyway, it’s been a great run and I’ll forever be thankful for being a part of it. Not everyone gets to do what they love and love what they do for a living, and I don’t take it lightly that I have.

Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus is quoted as saying, “the only thing permanent is change.”

There’s no arguing that. Change is going to happen to everyone, regardless of race, creed or social status.

Another old saying is “you can’t beat Father Time.” Roger that; he’s undefeated and always will be.

But while I’m not trying to beat him, I am playing his game, which means it’s time for some change.

See you around.

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.

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