Art Buchwald's farewell

Legendary op/ed columnist Art Buchwald has died at 81. It's not surprising to me that he had the forethought to write one final column to be published after his death. That just seems like the kind of guy he was.

I think of a song lyric, "What's it all about, Alfie?" I don't know how well I've done while I was here, but I'd like to think some of my printed works will persevere -- at least for three years.

I know it's very egocentric to believe that someone is put on earth for a reason. In my case, I like to think I was. And after this column appears in the paper following my passing, I would like to think it will either wind up on a cereal box top or be repeated every Thanksgiving Day.

So, "What's it all about, Alfie?" is my way of saying goodbye.

Whichever way his opinions may have slanted, I've always seen him as the traditional, almost stereotypical journalist. Well-chewed cigar hanging out of his mouth while banging out his column on a manual typewriter; giving the editor as much grief as he gets in return; gettin' it done, column after column.

I haven't read anything he wrote in some time, but I remember reading him and enjoying his work. The world will not be the same without him.