Today is the last working day of my life.

[sinkingfeeling]

I've finally retired (for the 2nd. time). I've gotten up and come to work every day since I was 19. Been in the data processing/computer processing/information technology for 48 years and today's the last day I sign on.

[MADem]

1. Be good to yourself!!!

Leaving work can be stressful, so pamper yourself and do some things you enjoy.

You have a good work ethic to do nearly fifty years in the same gig--you may end up like a relative of mine, who is teaching reading to kindergarten kids at the tender age of 92...only part-time, but still...!!!

It took me awhile to make the adjustment--I retired earlier than you did. For awhile I was at loose ends but I am now amazed at how much stuff manages to fill my days!

[No Vested Interest]

2. Wonderful. I thinking of the many changes you've seen

since the advent of your working career.
As we all have. - Life is so very different now from the late 60's.

Enjoy your new way of life!

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Congratulations

And welcome to the wonderful world of retirement.

I was also in IT for decades. I don't miss it a bit.

[SheilaT]

4. Now that it's been a few weeks,

how is it going?

I did not work as long or as consistently as you did, so my response to ending work is probably very different.

But I most sincerely hope you are loving not going to work every day.

A good friend of mine retired a few weeks before I did (both a year ago now) and the most wonderful part of retirement for us is that we speak on the phone almost every single day now. For too many years we lived far enough apart, and had sufficiently different work schedules that it was hard to do that. Now? He's my best friend in the entire world, and it's a genuine joy that we can speak to each other every day.

I hope you have some equivalent in your life.

There really is much more to life than work. Love, enjoy, be yourself!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Well, not so good. I made a trip to Florida, leaving 4 days after retirement. My 95+ year-old mother

a nursing home after breaking her hip. Left there on May 2 for the 20 hour drive back home and was about 30 miles from home when my sister called to tell me my mother had passed away. Last week, I took care of some things, but over all, was bored.

Thanks for asking. One of my ex-coworkers said it took him almost a year to adjust.

[SheilaT]

6. So sorry about your mom.

Yeah, do give it time. You worked a very long time, and I gather that you generally liked your work.

I never had I job I actually liked that much. No real career. Just get up, go to work, do what they wanted me to do, and get a paycheck. I my case, I also was out of the workforce about half of my adult life, as I stayed home to raise two kids. All that time not working meant I had lots of non-work related things that I did, and that makes a difference also.

I really hope you are able to shape your new life in a way that is good for you.