Every year, The Observer is forced to celebrate Secretaries Week to honor Shirley Grauel. And when I say "forced," I mean forced because "secretary" doesn't even begin to describe everything Shirley does for this office.

If Shirley only performed traditional secretary duties like picking up the mail, answering the phone and making sure I deal with most of the day to day problems that arise at The Observer, we might be able to replace her when she decides to retire — hopefully not for a long, long time.

But Shirley does so much more than that. For more than 20 years she has been the glue that's held The Observer together. Her official title is Office Manager, but she should probably be called Office Heroine, and be considered for sainthood when she dies.

How many other people could have 21 different bosses — all younger than 22 years old — in 21 years and still love her job?

Every morning when I come into the office, Shirley is always there to greet me with a smile. No matter how tired, stressed or down I might feel, seeing Shirley always picks me up in the morning.

Sometimes she is almost too nice. I think I would get more work done if Shirley wasn't such a wonderful person to talk to. From politics to the price of a box of detergent on The Price is Right (one of her favorite shows), Shirley can discuss almost anything.

And nobody loves Irish sports more than she and her husband. She didn't jump on the women's basketball bandwagon this season, she's been driving it for years. She never misses a football, hockey or men's or women's basketball game. She probably knows more about Irish athletics than 90 percent of the students on campus.

But she is more than just a conversation piece. She is like a mother to hundreds of writers, advertising executives, photographers and editors who have walked by her desk since 1980.

When I was first named editor last spring, I received many phone calls from former editors offering me congratulations. They all gave me two pieces of advice: 1) don't be afraid to ask for help and 2) take care of Shirley.

I didn't quite understand how important Shirley was to the office last spring but now, as I begin my second term as Editor in Chief, I can't imagine how The Observer could function without her. I know I wouldn't have survived my first year in the job without her and I certainly wouldn't have signed up for a second if she wasn't going to be here.

In her 21 years at the paper, Shirley has consoled countless heartbroken editors, stressed out ad managers and jobless senior news writers. Somehow, everything always seems better after you talk it over with Shirley.

So Shirley, thanks for everything you do for us here at The Observer. I don't know where The Observer would be without you. And as soon as Hallmark starts printing cards to celebrate Accountant/Receptionist/Psychologist/Counselor/Friend Day, I'll buy you one of those. But for now, I hope our sincere and heartfelt thanks will be enough.

• For Shirley