Well.......it is over
by Ricardo
(U.S.A.)
To the many that have followed my "journey to retirement", I attended "my party" today.
It has been three weeks since I last stepped foot in my office since I have been using up sick time. Yesterday, February 28th was my last "official" day on the payroll so to speak. I did NOT want to go back, since I was kind of already in "a retirement mode."
In fact as my wife and I were driving to the office, I started to get nervous, apprehensive, and a bit scared....of what I do not know, but the feelings were there. I wanted to turn the vehicle around, and "call in sick". I did NOT do that, and am glad that I didn't.
I was overwhelmed with the turn out, which included past retirees, friends, and family, none of which I expected to be there! I got ribbed, poked, prodded, roasted, and embarrassed. I spoke and got emotional in spite of myself. It was all a very sincere expression of how valuable I had been to my employer and co-workers.
I just did my job over the years and tried to befriend all and have a kind word and listen when needed. Is that not what all of us sometimes need in this life?
Well, it was verbalized over again, and again, by many who attended and knew me over the years. It made me feel appreciated, and needed, and most respected as a person and fellow employee. I received loads of gifts, both sincere, and many "gags", as well.
All in all I felt uplifted and good about my giving thirty eight years of my life to an organization and a group of people that I will always "cherish as friends."
We should all have an opportunity in life to occasionally feel the way I felt today...it is uplifting.....and as I compose this note, I am on a real emotional "high".....it feels GREAT!
Wendy: Kudos to you, Ricardo... your co-workers quite obviously respected you. I pray your retirement days are just as richly lived... Enjoy!
