The Midlife

I love how this is one of the images that popped up for a ‘retirement’ search. I wonder what they are laughing about…

This week, one of my colleagues enjoyed her retirement party after 33 years of work. Featured were the typical fanfare: slide show, visitors from other company departments, gifts, and cake. A good time seemed to be had by all in attendance. This had been one of many parties I had attended over the years, and the frequency of them in recent years was not lost on me.

I couldn’t help but think how retirement parties remind me of pre-funerals or how they should be treated as such. The person retiring has a chance to hear all the glory (and none of the grit) felt by colleagues and friends in real life, in the flesh. Your list of titles and job duties are regaled and stated with a most dignified send-off. Stories beginning with “Remember that time,” are revealed with all of the enthusiasm experienced when it happened for the first time. And the retiree is there, to take in all the accolades mere steps away from the ice bucket and drinks.

The longer you stay at a company, the more parties you attend. It has me thinking a great deal of what my retirement might look like. Fortunately, I have worked long enough to know that the distance to get there grows shorter with each passing year. Yet, I feel as if it is a far-off land where afternoon walks and early dinners await. If I’m lucky, I get to keep my original teeth and am not alone.

Years ago, one of my colleagues retired. A diva-like woman I wasn’t closely connected to, but knew of her well, retired after decades of service. The way she left was what I would declare an awesomely epic, savage move. I envy it to this day. She told no one until her last day. Granted, she had to notify HR and her supervisors, of course, because of paperwork and such. But she told none of her co-workers until the final day. “Today will be my last day,” she said. Then, she walked away. People were disappointed they couldn’t say goodbye or give a proper send-off. There would be none of that for her. For her, retiring was the ultimate gift. The joy was in not clocking in ever again. I often wonder how she is doing. I know for a fact that whatever it is, she is quietly making a splash no one else can hear or see.