I gonna retire - finally
I don't post much, lurk a lot, read a lot, get a lot of laughs from some of you.
Time has come to retire. I have been having some health issues because of that little conflict in SE Asia many moons ago. I've worked in the same place for 30 years - for the same family, starting as an engineer right out of college. Well, 30 years later I'm not doing like I was, felt I was a unnecessary expense to the company. I talked to the company president about my thoughts, he was taken back, but he understands. I looked at my 401k, the money I get from the gub'ment, I'm 62, economy sucks, have a son in college. My wonderful wife has good medical insurance and a nice income (she's 50 - anyone tell her I mentioned this we're gonna have to go out into the parking lot and talk about it). Anyway I decided I would stop working January 1. Filed the papers, rolled this into that and what ever else. Talked to my financial planner - he's been steady over the years - he made recommendations which I have followed.
Friday was my last day and it was a hard day, I cried. Our company is a small company, less than 50 people, always made a profit, never laid anyone off, good people, they have been my "family". Friday night I drove home drained.
Saturday evening we had our annual Christmas dinner and my retirement party. Let me tell you, I thought I knew these SOB's I worked for and with, thought I could read them - boy was I wrong! Turns out the 'old man' who originally started the company would take a undisclosed portion of our bonus and invest it back into the company. Thirty years of this built up to a tidy sum of cash, I found out about this at the party when he called me off to the side and handed me the statement. Then he told me they were giving me 3 years salary to carry to 65, I have full medical and dental on me and my family to 65 - no cost. Seems every time I turned around it was something more, I am still at a loss. They also want to retain my services as a consultant.
Okay, I broke down. The 'old man' and I never had a cross word, neither have his son and myself, we have had disagreements, but we always worked through them professionally and like family. I was always free to speak my mind. After all of what he has and had done for me I was speechless, I'm still numb.
Oh, and to boot, my son had produces a CD with my life history on it - he was actually able to get in contact with several from 'Nam and had their voices recorded in inter-aircraft communications - just like I remember. He actually found the nurse who attended to me when I was hit (she did remember me - she called the priest over for the Last Rights) - the priest was in there too actually reciting the Last Rights. Everyone in the shop and office are on the CD too telling their stories of knowing me and working with me - I must admit it's all positive. In fact the CD is playing now - for the 200th time.
My son has his multi-engine instructor's rating, a junior studying aerospace engineering, and maintaining a 3.8 average (damn smart assed kids).
All in all I think I will enjoy retirement, let's put it this way, I have to, I'm committed.
Peace to every one, Happy Holidays, may God be with you.
Axel
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