The Post Retirement Journey

May 28, 2010 arrived.  The countdown clock went down to zero.  My work group at Nissan had two parties for me.  Willie Prazak sponsored one at Toot's restaurant in Smyrna and the official party was on Thursday at lunch at our break area.  Calvin my supervisor cooked pork shoulder, country ribs and chicken.  It was delicious.  People said nice things and gave me a beautiful engraved multi-tool to replace all of the tools that I will have to leave behind when I fly to Belgium.  On Friday morning I came to the morning start-up meeting where I received a Certificate of completion prepared by Troy Kirby.  I had everyone sign it so it looked like a college diploma.  Then I went up to the HR office and received my really big check and went to the security office to turn in my ID card and they made a retiree card that won't let you in the gate.

Next I went to the bank and deposited the check.  I went back home and waited to have the long awaited lunch with one of my mentors, Jim Ferrell.  I waited and waited; the time dragged on.  Finally Jim arrived and he said that he was waiting on UPS for his business.  He said that he really liked Hickory Falls.  I told him that I did too.  We went in and I was scanning the restaurant for people I might know and walked into my surprise retirement birthday party.  My brother and sisters were there along with my kids and grandkids.  It was pretty overwhelming!  My family from Michigan had chartered a friend's plane to fly Sherry, Cindy, Glen and his wife Sue to Smyrna. 

That evening we were supposed to go to Tony and Brandi's house for a get-together.  It turned out to be the second surprise party of the day!  My old small group was there along with Kyle and Amy.  It was quite a day!