I’ve been trying to decide what to call a 75th birthday.

Some call it a diamond jubilee. There’s also semisesquicentennial. Yes, that is a thing.

I prefer “75 years young,” but what do I know?

Whatever we call it, you’ve made mine special.

Thank you for the many birthday wishes. Facebook is many things, but it certainly knows how to put up a big billboard announcing your birthday. Hearing from so many people has been heartening, and I appreciate every kind word.

There were times during my years as a federal government manager when I wondered how many birthdays I had ahead of me. The stress was sky-high. I was proud of what we accomplished, and I had some wonderful people working for me, along with a very special boss in Sally Wright. Still, that job took a toll.

Yet here I am, 75 and in relatively good health for a guy my age.

My wife, Jane, says it’s all because of her.

She’s not wrong.

Time with my grandkids gives me plenty to look forward to. Just keeping up with them and my beautiful daughters, Allison and Mary, helps keep me feeling young. I have a great deal to be thankful for, starting with my family.

And then there’s all of you.

This website and my podcasts have become my major project in retirement, and one of the biggest surprises of my life.

When I started LarryInFishers.com in mid-January 2012, the idea was simple: Show up at local government meetings and write about what happened, drawing on my earlier experience as a journalist. I hoped a few hundred people might find it useful.

Last year, this website recorded more than 100,000 unique visitors. This year, I passed that total in July. Podcast listens number in the tens of thousands.

That is far beyond anything I imagined in 2012. To everyone who takes a few minutes to read a story or listen to a conversation: Thank you. You have given this retirement project a place in your lives, and that means a great deal to me.

I’m also grateful to the local leaders and others who make time to talk with a reporter running a small website and podcast operation. Their willingness to answer questions helps me keep you informed about the Fishers area.

It has been an honor to be your local reporter for nearly 15 years. This work gives me a reason to stay curious, keep asking questions and look forward to what comes next.

God has been good to me. If He continues to bless me with good health, I plan to keep doing this journalism thing. Your support makes that work possible—and makes it rewarding.

So, what do I call my 75th birthday?

Special. I’m still here, with family to love, friends to treasure and a community to cover.

Thank you for the birthday wishes. And thank you for giving me so much to look forward to.