A Final Farewell

This is my last post as editor of TulsaKids magazine. Some of you already know this. Many of you are thinking “It’s about time!” and most of you are probably thinking, “Who is this person and why should I care?”

The latter is probably where most of you fall, but I feel compelled to complete my 30+ years as editor with some kind of post about it. Isn’t that what people in my situation do? Closure and all that. As humans, we seem to need closure, a narrative arch to our lives.

I don’t know. I’ve never “retired” before. I have changed jobs, but that’s different. For one thing, you still get a paycheck. That’s no small thing.

For those of you who are thinking, “It’s about time!” I think you’re right. I am one of those lucky individuals who had a job that I loved. Being an editor of a publication is new every day. You get to work with other creative people – by the way, there are so many talented writers in Tulsa! – and you get to be in charge of something that you hope is useful to the people who are reading it.

One of my favorite interviews was with Bob McGrath, the legendary crooner on “Sesame Street.” He was performing at the Tulsa PAC, and I had a wonderful talk with him about his life, his hope for fame as a singer in the ilk of Andy Williams, and ultimately finding a career on “Sesame Street.” He cautioned parents to keep their kids from watching too much TV, suggesting they should be playing outside or doing something more creative instead. An early warning about too much screen time. I always found that ironic from a man who made his living on the small screen. Bob was “let go” when HBO took over “Sesame Street,” much to the dismay of his fans.

Back to “it’s about time.” A few of you know that I’ve written and illustrated children’s books. I’ve written and created art my entire life. If you’re like me, and you occasionally evaluate your life and what you want to do with it, I made the decision that I wanted to spend time with more creativity and less deadlines.

I’ll be posting my work on Instagram and Facebook – after I clean out my office (really, Chuck, I promise I’ll get that done!) – and finish out the holidays with my amazing family and friends.

Natalie Mikles, a longtime writer for TulsaKids with a wealth of journalism experience, will take over as editor, bringing fresh eyes, and no doubt exciting changes, to the magazine, print and digital.

Also, many of you already know that the publisher that I worked with for over 30 years, Chuck Foshee, has sold TulsaKids Media to Amanda Murphy, a Tulsan who is passionate about the community, families and building on Chuck’s strong foundation.

I want to thank Chuck for his leadership, for giving me total editorial freedom, and for his friendship and generosity over the years.

To you, readers, it’s about time. Today is my last day of work. I don’t know how retirement works, but I’ve never been afraid of a change or of moving forward in my life. Thank you all for following TulsaKids. I know you will continue to do so. Sometimes being a parent can feel lonely, but you’re not alone with TulsaKids. Join our social media and make yourself heard. Sign up for our e-newsletter. Read the publication. Write to Natalie about what you would like to see in the publication.

Tulsa and the surrounding communities are fortunate to have a publication devoted entirely to parents, the people who do the hard work of raising the next generation – there’s nothing more important.

Love to all –  Betty