The only constant in life is change, said an ancient Greek philosopher.
And nowhere is that more true than in journalism.
I have spent more than 40 years covering change in Metro Vancouver, and now, I'm about to embark on changes of my own.
I retire at the end of September, and will move on to the next phase of my life.
For those who have travelled with me over the years — readers, people I've interviewed, fellow journalists and editors — I give thanks.
Their help, advice and patience kept me going all these years.
To those who disagreed with my stories, thought I lacked perspective or made errors, I am grateful for their interest although I probably didn't take their criticism with much grace at the time.
Other journalists like to call the work we do as writing people's stories.
I'm not sure about that.
I documented change.
For example, I've written about how entire neighbourhoods, including Oakdale in Coquitlam, have been transformed by SkyTrain, how bike lanes have been introduced, new parks and schools constructed.
You could say that in the decades I worked at community newspapers, including 25 years at the Tri-City News, I have shown in words and photos how the sleepy suburbs became vibrant cities.
In recent years, I've written about the terrible toll of the toxic drug crisis on our youth and the need for more mental health services.
I've written about how technology is transforming education, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming teaching.
Even crime has changed over the years: there are sadly more shootings, including a tragic story about a teen hit by gunfire.
There's also been an increase in frauds and scams, often targeting seniors.
The Tri-Cities business scene has also changed — industry is moving out, being replaced by real estate.
There are more small businesses than ever before. Entrepreneurs, many of them newcomers to the Tri-Cities, have been opening new restaurants, food trucks, cafes and bakeries all over town.
The craft brewery industry has become an institution — a place for people to socialize and support local production. I remember writing about Yellow Dog Brewing in Port Moody, one of the first.
Farmers markets became a thing, thanks to Make Bake Grow, which started in Coquitlam on Poirier Street in 1996.
The Tri-Cities is also more multicultural now than it was a quarter of a century ago and it's been a delight to write about newcomers' stories and celebrate their achievements.
However, I can't understate how much the internet and social media have changed how we communicate and do business.
When I was a cub reporter, I had to call someone, visit the library or go to city hall for information for a story; now, there's Google and an army of public relations officers to answer questions.
While these changes often go unremarked, I know how they affect people.
Readership is high for stories about openings and closures, such as a long-time Port Coquitlam bakery closing, a neon sign being removed along Lougheed Highway, a tree cut down or a 1960s era shopping mall about to be razed.
Change has even come to the Tri-City News with the end of the print edition and the move to full online publication.
For a reporter who typed her first news story on a manual type writer, these changes are stunning.
But I have no regrets and have enjoyed my time documenting these changes for our readers.
After all, change is constant.
The big question is: What does the future hold?
