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39 years ago, Don Carlton volunteered to help me survive grad school by inking the strip, and he’s been helping me survive deadlines ever since. He has never missed a week for any reason, and I am grateful beyond measure for his talent and loyalty. 33 years ago, Margaret Jane Pauley volunteered to be my girlfriend, and three years later, my wife, even though she knew about the deadline thing, which is famously murder on families. Without her unconditional support, I cannot imagine how this career could have been possible.

When baby boomers are asked in polls when old age begins, the average response is 80—two full years past life expectancy. So the New Old is death. When a baby boomer passes on, it will be said that he died of late middle age. We were not always this way. It’s hard to believe now, but there actually was a time within living memory when childhood was viewed as an interminable burden. The British novelist Ian McEwan dates the cultural pivot point to the early ’60s. ” How quickly the “embarrassing condition” became adulthood, for which, of course, there is no cure at all.

For his steady guidance I will always be appreciative. 30 years ago, David Stanford came on as a personal assistant, and shortly thereafter started editing the Doonesbury books, which he does to this day. com and the guiding force behind our milblog, The Sandbox, David has been sounding board, confidant, and brother. I cannot thank him enough. 25 years ago, George Corsillo was brought in to work on a Doonesbury desk diary. He has been my design guru and colormaster ever since. As I was originally a graphics guy myself, George’s work gives me an inordinate amount of pleasure.