Monday, January 10, 2011

Past Stories: Rewind Monday - Dad Retires At 60

Disclaimer: Writing in present tense over 3 years ago!
October 12, 2007 happen to be the actual retirement date. His work retirement party was 9 months ago. People may have started to wonder... or likely may have wanted their gifts back. But rest assure family and friends, he did not go to work this morning.

Lets rewind to my thoughts shall we...

Back in December 2006, my thinking went something like this...who would of thought that this time in my dad's life would actually come. Not very many of us. My dad is a work alcoholic. As a kid, he worked a normal 40 hour week or is that what I remember since he was at EVERY SINGLE one of my soccer games whether at home or away at 3:30 pm. To tell you the truth, now that I actually focus on the hours he worked it came out to 48 hour work weeks. Normal work day would be 9 hours plus 4-5 hours on Saturday morning while I was sleeping in. On a soccer game day, he would just go in early. Once, I left the house for college...8-10 hours on a Saturday became the norm. A part of me always respected and envied him for being a responsible and dedicated person. After being blessed with my two beautiful children, I truly know what it means to appreciate time with your family. So for the last four years, I have been sad for my dad believing that he is missing out on so many experiences in our daily lives. For him this retirement will be bittersweet--less time at work with his friends but more time to truly enjoy all the world has to offer for I know he will travel to places he has only dreamt of for years. Thank you dad for teaching me that the small things such as soccer games really do matter. That memory is the most cherished memory I have from my childhood.

It may have taken 9 months for him to cut the cord but he finally manages to be reborn. Reborn into retirement bliss I hope. Only time will tell...

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