A note to my email subscribers and blog readers: This post includes my farewell to those who have been reading my posts in the local newspaper for the past 12 years. Portions of it won’t be relevant to those who connect digitally. You might, however, find it interesting. Please note the information at the end regarding the break I’m taking for the next few weeks. I’ll see you back in August either online or in your inbox. – G
Do you know the origin of the idiom “famous last words?”
According to my three minutes of extensive research, the phrase refers to a (1) comment or prophecy that is expected to be proved incorrect; (2) declaration that is promptly counteracted; (3) speech or claim that is rapidly contradicted (Source: theidioms.com).
From the same source:
“This phrase was initially used to refer to the actual dying words of prominent people, before it evolved to be used as a rejoinder to show the possible recklessness of assertions. The very first record of its use was a statement by U.S Civil War General John Sedgwick. Right before he was shot dead by a sniper, he’d sarcastically said ‘They couldn’t hit an elephant from this distance.’”
On September 18, 2007, Professor Randy Pausch delivered his “Last Lecture” at Carnegie Mellon University. His lecture was entitled, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” He passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008 at the age of 47. His lecture was expanded into a New York Times bestselling book that was released just 3 months before his death.
Where am I going with this?
I don’t anticipate any fame to result from my words today, but this will be my final contribution to the Tri-County Reporter. As of July 1, Mrs. Sweetie and I are full-time residents of Amarillo, Texas. I am now fully retired from Harvest Baptist Association and moved out of the home we occupied in Azle since April 1991.
My first column appeared in the April 27, 2011 edition of the Azle News and with the exception of 4 or 5 weeks when there was either a glitch or there wasn’t enough space available, I’ve been here weekly since then. That’s 635 weeks at 500+ words. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve contributed over 330,000 words to the newspaper during this run.
That’s comparable to the total word count of the first 3 books in the Harry Potter series or the total of 6 of the 7 books in the Chronicles of Narnia.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to the editors and publishers who have allowed me this privilege of encouraging my community for the past 12 years. Having lived in the Azle area for a total of 36 of my 61 years on planet earth, I will always think of myself as an Azle-ite.
We raised our kids here, made lifelong friends here, grew up as adults here. And we tried to contribute to seeking the flourishing of the community. There will be a time when few in Azle have a memory of us, but there will never be a time when we don’t fondly and gratefully remember Azle.
To all who have read my ramblings and offered your kind words of encouragement and affirmation over the years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And while this will be my last contribution to the newspaper, “Be Amazing” will continue on my blog and to my email subscribers. You can find more information at drgerrylewis.com. I’m going to take the month of July off while we’re unpacking and getting settled in, but I’ll resume sometime in August.
Once again, it has been amazing! I will hold you in my heart.
Be amazing today, my friend.
