Don't forget to grin

Just a quick post for those who are retiring within the next month or two. I know of three guys who are going out. Whoops. Two are out as of today and one is going out within a week.

One of them is someone I've known for twenty years. We started out in another job. He got laid off back in the mid nineties. The company decided to get rid of the division that I was in within a year, this was the late nineties, so I ended up in the same place he did. I will say my current employer has been very very good to me. But good as my job is, I must admit that my worst day bumming around the house is better than my best day at work, you can disagree with me if you like, and I always have the sincerest joy for those who are at the end of their careers.

But my old friend has been at it for over thirty years, and is calling it quits. So is another co-worker whom I've known for eight years. I'll say here what I told them both.

Folks, when the day after your last day arrives, and you wake up, don't get out of bed just yet. I want you to do something for me. Promise me you'll lay there and grin. Turn on the radio or the tv, if either are near the bed, and listen to the traffic report. You know what will be said. Jams over here. Jams over there. And while the reporter continues to extemporize upon that lugubrious drollery, I want you to think of me and the rest of the worker bees and say "Go get 'em, suckers!"

God bless you, and good luck on your retirement!