Leaving Work Me Behind

May 2024 was the month I knew I would never work again. Pneumonia in January and February convinced me to retire. I had given my notice back then; school would be out May 28th. My seventy-second birthday was May 31; I would be retiring June 1st. I did not volunteer for field day this year, although I usually did. Illness kept me away from school a few days the last week. I did not feel guilty, I felt validation this was God’s plan for me. Retirement is nothing I had looked forward too. I felt my body was forcing me into it, and I was a bit irritated. Two retirement parties did not make retirement feel real. I had been working since I was sixteen, working was my way. The minute I was checked out from my boss, I left, fleeing the place. I forgot to leave my badge, so I ran back in and gave it to a friend. Her check out time was in an hour, and I did not want to be called back. I knew my time was over; I was on my way to a new unanticipated life. Leaving work me behind was the hardest thing I have ever done.