December 30 – The last day my dad walked into his office and walked out.  In late summer my dad mentioned he was thinking about retiring.  We tried to get him to do it in a phased approach knowing he didn’t have any hobbies and truly we were worried about him being bored.  Work for him was not only work, but much of his social life; working with a friend, eating lunch out every day.

A few months after he initially mentioned it, he told us he had matter-of-factly made up his mind…the end of the year he would be retiring it.  He felt it was time; he no longer was enjoying the daily drive, and at 72 he felt it was time.

So while I think we all wished he would have gone to part time just to stay busy for a year or two, in the end it was his decision and I supported him and am happy for him. 

Sunday evening we threw him a surprise retirement party…theme was hoodies as my dad rotates between the same three hoodies during cold weather.

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My mom made lasagna, which she rarely makes anymore, so my dad knew something was up when he heard she was cooking!  We got him a hoodie that said “The man, the legend, has retired”, a T-shirt that said “I worked my whole life for this” and some gag gift toilet paper that said “Leave that S**T behind” and “No job is finished until the paperwork is done”.  My sister gifted him with some of his favorite beer. 

We gave him cards and toasted.  We spend our whole lives working to provide for ourselves and our families, to create the life we want. He created a good life and should be proud.  

Congrats Dad!  Enjoy this next part of the journey!