Retirement

A really good friend of mine had his big retirement bash last night. Although we could not fly in to be there, Alaska is a long way for an evening event, we attended with a cyber connection, thanks to another good friend who held up her phone for hours. Thanks Danielle.

Chris worked for 35 years teaching in a single district, doing a number of different jobs. He started and ended his career in special education, a field that has grown by leaps and bounds during that time. His dedication, love of children, and commitment is commendable and I admire him. I wish Chris nothing but the best and that we get to see him occasionally as he travels to see his daughters.

But the whole ritual made me think of other retirement parties. My father’s, my own, other friends who have put in their time at a chosen profession. As we increase the amount of movement in the job market, the long term employee will become a rarity. How is that going to work? Will there be no pomp and ritual to signal when a person has done their time, contributed mightily to their profession and made the world a safer place? We need our milestones, and if we remove that one, we need another to take its place. I can’t help but wonder what will replace it.

Suggestions?