Retired But Not Forgotten

I retired from my last job of 14 years in the public sector at the end of 2004 to eliminate stress in my life and found myself embarking on another career as merchant and shoppe owner on a permanent basis.

I never thought I would retire; thought I would die on the job.  I spent the better part of my life as a public employee and because I loved it, I thought I would never leave it.  That was not to be my calling.

About a year before I retired I was coaxed by my then daughter-in-law to open a little shoppe in Gardnerville, Nevada, where she and my son and their family resided.  I thought it sounded like fun and I would come up weekends to work it.  This was a far cry from an office or cubicle which were my homes in my various positions over the years in local government. I never worked retail and I always liked shopping so I thought “why not?”

We decided on a name for this new venture after we eliminated other possibilities. It was named “White Rabbit” after the Jefferson Airplane hit many years ago.  (Back in the day, people thought I looked like Grace Slick.)

The shoppe opened in February 2004. It was located in an intersection of an older subdivision and we found the meaning of “location, location, location.”  It was a struggle and after 13 months, when I retired, I closed that shoppe, moved it to Martinez, and rechristened it “White Rabbit Boutique” in April 2005.

Since I retired, my old group of friends from work each year in August, come to Martinez to take me to lunch for my birthday at La Tapatia.  This year was year seven and prior to that, when I was still working, it went on for most of those 14 years, even when I changed departments from Engineering to Human Resources.  My dear adorable friend, Tracie, is responsible for being the organizer or instigator of our Purple Days each August since I retired and I can’t thank her enough for making it happen. In the photo are (back row left to right): Tracie, Spiro, Jennifer, Gina, Sharon, Rossana, Linda, and Bea. Front row (left to right) are: Andrea, Helen, me, LeeAnne, and Zennie.  Dianne and Tina were not there yet when the photo was taken. 

Each year I also get a phone call from one of the former Construction Inspectors who always remembers my birthday. It is the same day as one of his kids. Needless to say, this is a touching reminder of what wonderful friends I have made over the years.

Do I feel loved? You bet I do.  I was the party girl, the organizer, and we all went to lunch to celebrate our birthdays.  I always organized the monthly birthdays for other employees in my group of “confidential” employees. During my tenure, I organized the after hours Christmas parties too. We always had lots of fun and everyone enjoyed being together. I don’t think they have had an evening Christmas party since I left and that makes me sad. 

Most people retire and never see those who they worked with again.  And most are forgotten.  I am the blessed one because I do see my friends periodically throughout the year but mainly on my birthday which we all call “Purple Day.”  Everyone wears purple or thinks purple in my honor because, as you may or may not know, purple has always been my favorite color and has always made me feel good.  The walls of my shoppe are purple and I spend more time there than in my home.

The one thing I miss the most about not being there at the old job is these wonderful friends who I used to work with every day.  How blessed I am that these folks take time out of their busy schedules to come to Martinez from Concord to celebrate with me during their lunch time and some of my retiree buddies come from their homes to have lunch with me too.  I’ll bet not many retirees can say that.

I have worked with the most wonderful people who are dedicated to their jobs be it in the office or out in the field.  And to think they have not forgotten little old me just brings a tear to my eyes and a smile to my face.  What a wonderful annual birthday gift they have given me to share their lives with me for a special hour. I am truly blessed.  It makes turning 39 again less painful.