Shit Just Got Real

My first pension cheque statement came in the mail today.   

 

Guess it’s official and real now!!

Retirement Musings

I had a great career.   It was challenging, interesting, frustrating, rewarding, exhausting, fulfilling.  And after 30 years, it wasn’t getting any easier.   In fact, I found it getting more difficult.   So, instead of working another year to “double dip” (collect both my pension and my wage for the last 6 months of any year past 30) which was what I always thought I would do, I decided that my mental health wasn’t worth the extra money in the long run.   

30 years, 5 schools, an Educational Leave, a Deferred Salary Leave, countless colleagues and kids.  I had been at my last school, James L Alexander, for 6 years-enough time to feel comfortable, make connections and feel I had done my job there as well as I was able.  I decided it was time to go as there became many more changes and challenges that were getting harder for me to “role” with.  I was so very fortunate to have a a great group of students and EAs to mark my final year with. 

On Friday, June 15, 2019, I invited 60 people to join me for a farewell for the final Piano Friday at the Bassment.   40 people showed up, and of the 20 that couldn’t come, 10 of them got in touch with me to tell me why they couldn’t make it.   I was so touched.   There was someone fro each of my schools, Lori to make a Bredenbury connection, Susan who tutored me in math when I was in Grade 2 and Shelley who I was in her first class when she was my French teacher at the Regional in 1981 and who also retired this year after 37 1/2 years teaching!   It was struck by what a wonderful gathering of people it was and how lucky I was to have encountered them all in these past 3 decades.

Hey everybody!   I’ve decided that 3 decades as a teacher is long enough!   I am retiring in 21 days.

This really serves two purposes.   Most importantly, I’d like to tell you that, as I have been thinking about my career a lot lately, YOU came to mind as someone I am very grateful for.  It was great working, learning and laughing with you.   Whether it was 30 years ago, or yesterday, I am lucky to have met you along the way!   Thank YOU for being an important part of my work life!

Secondly, if you are able to join me for a drink and/or snack at The Bassment on Friday, June 14 between 4:30-7:30 pm, please do!   (Doors open at 4:30). This is also the final Piano Friday of the season there as well.  (No cover and some live piano music!)

I know June is a crazy month and lake season, so please don’t change your plans if you are busy.  But if you are around and able to drop in and say hi/bye, it would be great to see you!  Tables at the back have been reserved.   

Please make your presence your present!

If you can’t make it, no worries.   Just know that you have been in my thoughts lately and I am glad to have worked with you.

All the best to you.  Have a great summer!  

Cheers, 

Bob

“One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account nor what my clothes looked like.   But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.”  -Forest Witcraft

A Successful Man

That man is a success-

Who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;

Who has gained respect of intelligent men and the love of children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who leaves the world a better place than he found it;

Who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it;

Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

-Author unknown

And what an incredible send-off on the last day with kids thanks to Kathie and Naren.   OMG, what a party in the last day.   An embarrassment of riches is how I referred to it.   So many kind words, thoughtful gifts and lovely sentiments.   I couldn’t have left on a higher high.

 

This quote is one that resonates with me and that I used to help guide me during my career.   

As the year drew closer to an end, it proved to be true time and time again as I heard from former students, families and colleagues.   I am, in countless ways, such a blessed and lucky man.

A Week Into It

It’s my One-Week-Aversary of being a retired person.   I couldn’t be happier!   It’s been a busy but wonderful week.  Lake, home, yard work, lake and home again.   This is living.   So grateful and fortunate to be able to spend the time with family this week.   So much excitement.   Wayne and family off to England, helped Brenda with yard and deck, a great weekend with everyone out at Good Spirit, great summer weather.   Blessings upon blessings.

Thinking back on the last week of work, I am reminded again and again of how lucky I am.   What a wonderful “send off” I had.   From my Retirement Party at the Bassment on June 14, to the party the kids had for me on the last day, it was a great way to end a satisfying career.   I am ever grateful for all the wonderful people, adults and kids alike, that I encountered over the last 30 years.   Lucky, lucky me.

I wake up every morning and I think, “this is nice but it’s gonna end at the end of August” and then it suddenly hits me that “no, this is your new normal!”    It’s the greatest feeling and most unexpected surprise.....every morning!!   I love it.

I read something on how to have a successful retirement and it said you need three things:  something to do, someone  to love and something to look forward to.   That really resonates with me.   I will use that to guide my days!

a

Time Carries On

Today marks six years since Dad passed away.   Yesterday, Brenda and I worked in the yard to make it as neat and trimmed as he and Mom liked it.   I think we did them proud.   I sure miss them, but I also sure appreciate having had them!!

You can shed tears that they are gone 

Or you can smile because they lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that they will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that they left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them

Or you can be full of the love that you shared 

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday 

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember them and only that they are gone

Or you can cherish their memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what they would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

 

The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

So far, Day 1 of retirement has been outstanding!   Got up at my leisure, went for a walk (because I understand that’s what retire people do in the mornings-so I walked to Shoppers for my pills!! 😂), had a 4 hour walk, talk and latte with Alison and then was treated to the movie “Yesterday” by Kim and Carter.   A beautiful day.   Even got sunburned.

I’m still on a high from the last week.   And to keep things in perspective, last evening I was honored to be included in a list of guests that was invited to Jerald’s sunset internment at Shelley’s acreage.   It was a touching and emotional evening full of tears, laughter, good company, food and drink.  I got to connect with many people I haven’t seen for a long while.   It was a good reminder of how precious life is and how important family and friends are.

Freedom 54: The Return

Well, here we are again, after a 6 year hiatus only to return to mark the end of another school year.   But not just any school year...my final school year!   Today marks and ends my 5,910th day, or 30th year, working for the Saskatoon Public School System.

What a week this has been.   Class parties, kind words, tokens of appreciation and affection.   I am blessed and fortunate in so many ways.   I’ve been saying it’s been an embarrassment of riches.   What a wonderful way to end my fulfilling career.   I have way more to say on this, but I need to ponder and process and reflect on all the many wonderful things that have come my way as of late a little while longer.   I just wanted to get this entry “in the books” to try and capture the moment.

I am looking forward to having the time to blog, once again, to allow me to focus, appreciate and document the moments and events in this new “chapter” of my life that I am starting today.

 As I have said before, I am really looking forward to seeing what is out there next!

On The Year That Was

     So here I sit, on my deck watching the sun go down on my final day of this incredible year.   I feel many things; fortunate,  rested, content, but mostly oh, so very grateful.  What a fantastic gift these last 423 days have been. 
     People have asked me if it went fast or slow and I have to answer that it was a strange combination of both.  In many ways, the time seemed to fly by but when I stop and think and look back on all the things that I did, many of the events seemed to have happened oh so long ago.  While I experienced some very significant loss this year, I also reconnected with friends from childhood, high school, university, UWP and work and I got to meet some very cool and interesting new people as well.
     The gift of time is such a luxury.  To have been able to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it is something that I don't think I fully appreciate even yet.  It has been really interesting to chronicle the events of this time fairly regularly.  I wanted to do it for a couple of reasons.  One is to be able to have a record of events from the year, but the other reason was to force me to look back on all the things I did fairly regularly so that everything didn't just become one big blur, which it totally would have! 
     Highlights from the year include (in no particular order):  running 1600 miles, reading 28 books and going to 16 eclectic live concert events, driving through the New England States in the fall, a whirlwind weekend in New York City, a sunset sail in Boston Harbor, going to Salem, Massachusetts during Halloween season, a week in Washington, DC, leaving New England days before Hurricane Sandy hit, a great Kootenay mountain stay in Kimberly, BC, annual summer days in Fort Macleod, 4 trips to San Diego (!!), "Electric Run"ning, chasing the sun in Mexico, California, Phoenix and Costa Rica during this heinous winter, buying a leather coat in Tijuana,  Bredenbury's Centennial Cele
bration, spending time with family and friends.  I could go on and on.
     And of course, what year in review would be complete without a Top Ten List?!

TOP TEN EVENTS IN "THE YEAR OF BOB"

10.  Parasailing in Nuevo Vallarta-November

9.  Helicopter ride over Manhattan- October

8.  Overcoming fear of height (and speed) to
zipline (Superman-style) in Costa Rica- March

7.  January in California

6.  Loon Hollows, Orrington, Maine- October

5.  Any time spent at Torrey Pines State Park
and Sunset Cliffs, San Diego-July, September, January, February, June

4.  A week with my sister Wendy and brother-in-law in Puerta Vallarta- November

and
a week with my sister Brenda in San Diego in January

3.  Oceanfront apartment and pool house accommodations in San Diego-

September, January, February and June

2.  Not having to get up on cold, winter morning at home-December, March, April, May

(no photo available)

1.  Losing Dad-July 2, 2013
Profound and life altering experience

     So thank you for checking in, regularly or occasionally, and sharing this wonderful experience with me. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I feel so blessed to have done it.  And now, on the the eve of returning to work, I look forward to seeing what is out there for me once again.  Carpe diem!