Somehow, I've been at this desk for about seven months now.
In the middle of a busy week personally and professionally, I've been unable to look back through every section we've put together since I became Family editor.
However, if my memory and math skills can be trusted, I've been responsible for roughly 800 family pages (Family, Saturday and Living sections) and 30 or so of these notes since late May. I've had a lot of help from co-workers, columnists and readers, who have submitted some great articles, press releases and story ideas this year.
Article Photos
Scott Shelters
If this was a one-man show, we wouldn't have been able to print much local content in our family pages this year. Thankfully, it isn't. I think most of our readers would rather read local stories and columns than Associated Press content. A nice mix of the two is the best option in my opinion.
Despite the nature of today's note, I've learned that my job has more to do with looking forward than looking back at what we've already printed. There's always another newspaper to help prepare or story idea to develop.
So, I've found myself in some awkward situations this year when people stop me in public and ask about something I wrote or edited weeks or even months ago. I'm always much more focused on what's coming out next than on going over previous stories in my mind.
As a result, my memory of past stories, notes and sections isn't all that great after months have passed. Thankfully, the "smile and nod" technique is fairly effective.
I don't blame people for asking about older stories and sections, though. Many of them are friends from high school who live out of the area.
In some cases, their parents have clipped articles for them to read when they come home to celebrate Christmas and the new year.
One of my good friends from high school said his mother sent him a few of these notes while he was stationed in Afghanistan. I thought that was pretty cool.
So, wherever and whenever you're reading this, I hope 2013 treats you well. See you in the new year.