Mosaic Monday #17 - Report: Week 105 of Retirement

Sunset on Whitefish Lake, May 2017

March 3, 2019 marks two years since my retirement.  Two years = 104 weeks = 730 days = 17,520 hours.  It's cause for ongoing celebration, and reflection.

In my usual analytical fashion, I concocted a myriad of ways to approach this post.  Maybe I could use major milestones for the structure.  Or perhaps my key observations about retired life.  I could consult my "Joy of Retirement" book for inspiration.  Maybe I should summarize the six "retirement reports" that I previously posted. (Week One, Week Three, Week Five, Week Twelve, Week Nineteen, Week Forty-One)

One picture from each of the six retirement reports

It struck me that I have not published a retirement report for over a year; I believe it means that I have been too occupied to think about retirement.  Or is it possible that retirement has become my state of being rather than something separate from me?

Then it occurred to me to look in my Legacy Box, a parting gift from my Human Resources team.  I turned the key, and ...

First I found the dedications from our kids, both orated by our son at my retirement party.  The tears began to flow.

First, a few words from my sister who couldn't make it today: Dear Mom - Let me first say congratulations on your retirement.  You've earned it.  I want you to know that you are the strongest woman I have ever known.  I aspire to be like you every day for you inspire me to be a better manager.  I hope that I have as big an impact on the people that I work with as you did.  I'm so proud of you and I love you.  #1 Daughter

So, this isn't so much a speech as it is a chance to tell a story.  A story of dedication, ideals and teaching.  As long as I can remember, there has been a phone, a laptop, and Mom.  Every night the laptop came out and down sat Mom to do unfinished business from the day or deal with an issue that had popped up on the phone.  Every vacation along came the laptop and phone.  Whenever it came out at night or got packed along with the rest of the bags leaving for vacation, I would urge my Mom to leave it.  Surely she had done enough work to warrant not needing to do anymore tonight or on vacation.  I didn't urge her because I thought she was a workaholic or because I wanted her attention; I did it because I wanted her to be free from the work for the night, vacation or any amount of time.  My protests were always met with a smile, and a "I wish, son."  

As I grew older, I began to understand why.  Her unending dedication to her work, that at times was very trying and unenjoyable, taught me a lot about my Mom and about how I wish to live my life.  Primarily, that I don't want an office job.  But more importantly, about upholding ideals of work ethic and commitment.  I could not be more grateful.  And now in a week, for the first time ever, there will be a vacation where I don't have to ask my Mom to leave behind her phone and laptop.  But the lessons I have learned by watching my Mom will never leave me.  
#1 Son

Yes, yes, YES!  It was worth it all.

Next I found this simple, handwritten and taped sheet, and it spoke volumes to me about my legacy and my retirement journey.

During my Human Resources career, I led leadership development events.  The standard program called for senior leaders to share career lessons, and toward the end of my career, I chose an unconventional medium- my collection of Chinese fortunes.

In my very last leadership session (the 8th under my direction), the cohort in training presented me with a set of fortunes that they had collected the night before at a local restaurant, together with their best wishes for my impending retirement.  I present some of them to you now, with corresponding pictures from the last 24 months.

A relaxing adventure is in your near future

As I noted in my first retirement report on 3/13/2017, I calculate I worked an extra 18.2 years due to long hours.

So, I have only relaxed off TWO of those years!

You will continue to take chances and be glad you did

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, August 13, 2018.  Standing in awe next to Man with Hat.

New experiences in Norway (upper left) and in Glacier (lower right)

New friends in the neighborhood (upper right) and at the ski resort (lower left)

Wildlife abounds - badger, elk, beaver, mountain goat, black bear, hoary marmot

You will soon discover how capable you are
… of running an informal bed and breakfast/boutique guide service.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our visitors and showing them our little corner of Montana.  And from their comments in our guest book, Spousal Unit could apply for a Michelin rating for his food!  Our tour guide services aren't bad, either!

You will get what your heart desires
If you asked me what I wanted most from retirement, time with Man with Hat, in our slice of paradise, would be at the top of the list.  So, I will close this post with my favorite pictures of my beloved (some with Hat and some without!)  Darling, I have enjoyed every minute of the 104 weeks = 730 days = 17,520 hours.

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

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