Leaving

Well we have left Canada and are moving into retirement. It is still a bit surreal to me even though we have been in the air and in three overseas countries in the past three days.

Loreen thought I was being a little defiant today, I said I was just trying to spread my wings a bit. She mumbled something about getting those clipped!

Loreen has totally bought into the concept of retirement and is so excited about everything. I think it will grow on me more slowly, perhaps when I don't have to catch a flight home in three weeks it will become more real.

There is a bit of confusion in my mind about all this, leaving work was not easy. Although I have switched jobs before and left companies to consult twice, this is different. The other times I always knew there was another role in front of me. This time, as of now, my future is a bit of a void.

I always left previous jobs for a reason, either more money, no longer compatible or I did not feel valued by the people I worked for any more. I felt incredibly valued by peers and staff, but not by the leaders and executive.

As I left this position, I left with a feeling of value by peers, supervisors and the company. It meant that leaving was an emotional event and during my retirement party I had to struggle to stay in control at times.

However that day was certainly a happy one also and had it's special moments.

Four months away will give us time to consider what we want to do when we grow up and return to Canada.

So I am looking forward to that time and Loreen's enthusiasm is catching on, every time she shouts "DANNY!", I know we are about to do something exciting, so I jump up extremely fast and say "yes dear?"