With the attainment of a certain “seniority” comes appreciation for opportunities that present themselves when they are least expected.

The chance to take on challenges and responsibilities that would seem to have been available only to a younger version of oneself invokes a feeling of gratitude that is hard to describe. In the figurative sense it is like turning the clock back.

For me, a career that began in my hometown area of Binghamton, New York in the summer of 1965 marches on, as I transition from “freelance writer” to “editor” of The Yankee Xpress and the Blackstone Valley Xpress (North and South) for The Newspaper Press LLC.

Over the years, I have worked for a number of companies, including Citizen Group Publications in Brookline (the job that brought me to Massachusetts, in 1985) and the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester (1998-2009). The privilege of being able to do what I like best—write—has been complemented by a chance to forge friendships with people in the Blackstone Valley and Central Massachusetts who represent, literally, all walks of life.

Those of us in journalism understand that the most rewarding aspect of our work is having “front-row” access to press conferences, grand openings, ribbon cuttings, business milestones, major news announcements—and local, regional and national celebrities (I have met my share, including Hall of Fame Golfer Gary Player, whom I interviewed in the clubhouse at the B.C. Open in Endicott, New York, in 1974).

All of this brings us, me, to the present day. I look forward to sharing this column with readers, going forward.

Rod Lee can be reached at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.