Retired, no Work , no Job

On the day I retired it was more like not working as I mainly had no responsibilities except see that my replacement was up to speed and knew where things were and what to do. I went around to say goodbye to everyone I worked with that I already hadn't talked to. It was a strange feeling and most people asked how does it feel to be retiring. It was an easy answer in that it didn't feel much different than a normal day but in a way it was different. It was a kind of scary day in that it was my last day working there and actually working anywhere.

I kept thinking that this was my last day here and maybe the last time I would see some of the people. Maybe it is just me or the company and people I worked with but I wasn't mad at anybody or going to be glad not to see or have to work with anybody. I like people and even though some were a pain at times they were all pretty good people. WOW, I am going to retire and I don't have a job anymore to go to. That is almost a good news and bad news thing. I liked my work, but I like having free time to do things, fun things and exciting things. I liked the idea of being on my schedule and having the time to do what I wanted when I wanted to. I guess I am really going to miss some of these people and miss being with them and conversing with them.

When it "finally" came time for me to leave, it was boring not doing hardly anything at all and not having anything to do, I have to admit I was almost a little nervous and scared to leave. Sure I would be able to walk out to the car and drive home but this day was different. Yea, I had worked long hours for many years and was under a lot of strain at times, but it was like there was no tomorrow or it least it was going to be completely different. I went and said a final goodbye to everyone around the office, and actually held back a tear or two, and then walked to my car. As I pulled out of the parking lot I looked back and saw a few people on the steps waving goodbye and I waved back to them. This is actually happening, I think I am a little scared but it is a beautiful day and I love the world and my life on it.

I was driving down the streets and roads trying to concentrate on the traffic, at 2:30 in the afternoon (what traffic??) but I couldn't help smiling and singing out loud while I listened to the radio and saying, "I am retired and I am loving it". My girl friend let me borrow her car to go to work that final day, it is an '87 Porsche Carrera convertible, so I bet everyone could see how happy I was feeling. I really don't remember much about the drive except that I kept saying this is the last time I will be driving by here, at least while commuting and not driving on my own time and going where I want to go. I really felt good. I was almost 'high' on being happy. Since I didn't have my car with the bridge pass I had to stop and pay the toll. As I pulled up to the toll taker I gave him some extra money and said "pay for the car behind me, I just RETIRED, and proceeded toward home. I noticed that the car was following me and trying to catch up to me and when the traffic slowed she pulled alongside me and waved said "thank you" and I waved back and smiled and said "God bless" and we proceeded in our own directions.

I got home and gave my girl friend a hug and I was almost in tears I was so happy, I just retired and it feels great, I was still a little scared though. I guess today really is this first day of the rest of my life, a completely different life. It was hard to explain but it is wonderful and when I think about it I tell myself, go ahead, enjoy it, you deserve it.