In November
5 days ago
Monday, May 3, 2010
Just Drop off the Key, Lee
As soon as I announced my retirement my email lit up. "Ah," thought I, "they want to say something nice, thank me, wish me well.." And of course they did - lovely lavish thoughts, thanks and good wishes. And then they asked for letters of reference -just in case we lose touch. Though the list of letters to be written is daunting, I will take great pleasure in thinking over my years of association with each member of my staff, as I outline their strengths and contributions for a future employer. Not sure I will ever capture on paper the times we stayed late to finish a project, laughed ourselves silly when something fell apart or discovered together a great AH HA that took us all forward. There's no room in a letter of reference for the life events we've seen each other through, the highs and lows of spending our workdays together these may years. Writing a sincere letter of reference for each of these folks gives me one more chance to remember that I have worked with fabulous people. Just in case we lose touch.
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4 comments:
You and your co-workers are blessed to have had each other ....
How wonderful. :)
You really remind me of when I left. I always said if the Peace Corps hadn't existed I'd have had to invent it--could never picture myself working anywhere else, and I have many, many lifelong friends because of it. I don't miss the BS of work in the least, and I love calling my time my own. But I do miss the social interaction and constant stimulation (although I ain't complaining!) You'll enjoy this phase immensely.
I'm leaving my teaching job this year, and when the list of retirees came out, many of my students and colleagues sent emails. It was very nice. No one asked for a letter of reference, but I am not a boss, just the teacher who has decided 21 years is long enough at this career. It's time to do something else. I wish you well in your pursuit.
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