|
Retirement Sentiments."About Butler (with apologies to "About Schmidt")
The final few weeks before retirement are a bit surreal.
I wonder if I might awaken to find that I was dreaming, and that
I’m only fifty, not sixty.
Strange days indeed.
I must be stoic, optimistic, and even cheerful. There are lots of practical things to attend to, interesting
things to occupy my mind. So much to be grateful for, so much to look forward to. And all the while, being the diligent person
I am it's business as usual, or is it?
There are retirement letters to write, final emails to send and phone calls
to make. It’s time to think about my retirement speech.
Do I tell a retirement joke, or use a retirement quotation?
I have several lunches to attend, hosted by soon to be former business contacts. Everybody congratulates me,
says how great it’s been working with me. “It won’t be the same without you Greg.” I appreciate those sentiments.
They all insist I stay in touch, and some of them say they envy me.
I have the final retirement financial planning meeting with
our pension provider and taxation advisor. The tax free lump sum, part of the pension arrangement, represents more cash than
I’ve ever had in my life! Why wouldn’t I be cheerful?
And I have the dream holiday to look forward to. That holiday will be unique because I won’t be checking
my text messages or emails and there will be no reason to call the office. And best of all, when it over, I won’t be
returning to hundreds of emails, voicemails and unopened post. Yes indeed, why wouldn’t I be cheerful!
The final day arrives.
I wonder when I’ll wear the suit again. It’s too formal for my future plans. I’ll not miss the tie.
I hardly need the briefcase today, but I bring it anyway.
The route to work is well established. I could almost drive it with my eyes closed, and it hasn’t changed much in 26 years.
I remember the notorious Kinsale roundabout before they built the flyover, spaghetti junction we called it.
I recall some days bringing my children to school, and if it rained the traffic slowed, and maybe
I was under pressure to make that important 9 am meeting. And how I got impatient when they switched the radio
from “Morning Ireland” to “Hits and Memories”. There were sunny mornings when I thought it would be nice to have the day off, and ...
...now I can have every day off.
My office looks bare and already there are few traces of my presence there for 26 years.
I have already removed all my photographs, certificates and testimonials. The walls will need repainting.
My desk, which was always neat, is empty now.
I have disposed of most of my files; they would be meaningless to my successor.
In fact I had kept many of them beyond their usefulness to myself. And yet they were records of my
life’s labour-trade negotiations, strategic plans, creative marketing ideas, budgets and accounts.
I change my voicemail to announce that I am no longer with the company,
“Please press 9 to return to the operator.” I redirect emails to my private email
address or to the company address info@..., as applicable.
Because I’m going to lunch with some close work colleagues, and meeting a larger
group after work for drinks and snacks, we can avoid the formal farewell as I leave the office.
“We’ll see you later at the pub, Greg. Be sure to send us a card and drop by
after the holiday.”
I switch off the lights for the last time, holding my emotions in check and I know that this is a
scene I will run over in my mind in years to come.
I hope you enjoyed this story. Please share your
Retirement Stories and Anecdotes! Everyone loves a great story and a super anecdote or two!
Stay in touch and subscribe to my monthly email newsletter, "Retirement Stories". It is full of new stories and tips on planning for and enjoying an active retirement.
Subscribe Now..
Back from Retirement Stories: Follow The Yellow Brick Road to Retirement Sentiments
Back from About Butler to Retirement Planning
|
Recently Added Stories
Also - Go to Retirement Sentiments -
where you will find a full index of stories available on retirement-stories.com.
Planning for Retirement - By Pat Price - How the best laid plans ....
Gardening as a Retirement Hobby - By Regina Kessler ...
Senior Adventure Travel: The Mountain Kings of Africa:
If you're looking for retirement ideas, you might try an adventure holiday...
Retirement Wishes Vs. Reality: About Schmidt - "About Schmidt", staring Jack Nicholson,
is one of my favourite movies. The film has wonderful characters, evokes strong emotions
and the theme or plot is relevant to those of us recently retired - or just about to ...
Retirement for Couples: Darby and Joans Story -
If you are one part of a couple who live together - you may already know some of the challenges that
we face in retirement. But, let's draw back a bit - let's have a look at the journey that brings us to this point. ...
Where to Retire?
Where to retire is one of the major questions to occupy many of us in the years approaching retirement!
Sometimes the answer is closer than you think!
|
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.