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For the years that I enjoyed hosting a regionally syndicated talk radio show from our farm, I had the distinct pleasure of working with colleagues Bob and Sheri— giants in the radio biz, and in over 100 markets across the country. Cerebral, slightly dour and always funny, Bob Lacey has been a public fixture in Charlotte for decades.

When Bob announced his retirement this week, my first thoughts were how he’d be missed and what a transition it would be to go from hosting, with the equally engaging Sheri Lynch, five hours of morning radio and podcast to….? To?? Sleeping in for the first time in, what, 40 years? 

As I sat on the tractor in the shed, waiting for the glow plug to warm the engine so I could crank it, the sky above the woods had only just become tinged with coral and pink. I would need to turn on the headlight to drive out of the shed, and I thought, ‘Yes, I wonder how sleeping in would feel,’ knowing that Bob and Sheri would have already been on the air before my backside settled in the tractor’s seat. Well, you can’t blame a guy for wanting to call it a day. 

However, when I listened to Bob explain his decision, I barked with laughter because the truth of it was so pure that not only did it immediately resonate with me but surely with any Boomer—and perhaps younger—out there.

Bob began by saying he hadn’t thought much about what he was about to say, had never really prepared for it all these years, but sometime over the Christmas break, it dawned on him that perhaps it was time to pass the torch, to let someone else take over, because:

“… I was listening to some promo on television for some awards show, and they mentioned Jelly Roll, Bunnie Xo, Doja Cat and Zendaya…I have no idea who they are—I have no idea who these people are—and if you do what I do, what we do, and you’re not familiar with Bunnie Xo, you need to find out about Bunnie Xo,” and with impeccable comedy timing, Bob paused and continued, “But I just don’t want to at this point in my life. I wish Bunnie Xo all the best, but at one point, you begin to sound a little foolish…”.  

This moment, so perfectly encapsulated by Bob, is the marvelous moment of stepping away—willingly away— from the labor of remaining relevant, of staying on top of everything that used to be so insanely important to all of us and instead, blinking slowly over the morning cup of coffee. Or peering out the plane window while realizing a bucket list destination. Or opening a brewery. All the while saying, “I just don’t want to anymore.”

The freedom of no longer shaving or wearing make-up, sorry—that’s just me, but this freedom of organically and happily embracing “I just don’t want to” is a gift that makes the decades on the hamster wheel all worthwhile. It’s like shedding our skin.

“Hey guys, we need to talk about the office Secret Santa.”

I just don’t want to.

“Did you book your hotel yet for the conference?”

I just don’t want to.

And one day, Bunnie Xo, you won’t want to either.