Free, Joyfully Free!
by Hénock Gugsa
~~~~~ *** ~~~~~
Zack is free ... yes, he is! He has officially retired! No more putting up with freaking supervisors, managers, and CEO's aides!
I called him a few minutes ago at his home. He had just gotten out of bed and was lazily getting his breakfast when he answered the phone. Last night he had come home from his last day at work, hurriedly gotten undressed, and taken a long luxuriating bath. Then, he snuggled in bed with his wife. He stayed sleeping while his wife got up in the morning, kissed him on the forehead, wished him a restful day and left for work. He slumbered in bed a while longer listening to some music by Handel and Bach that was playing on MPR (Minnesota Public Radio).
I noticed Zack sounded different ... somewhat at ease, and even cheerful ... not the old stressed self. I asked him how his last day at work went. He said just fine ... they respected his desire for no fireworks, and he got a nice farewell card signed by many of his colleagues. What's more, the manager had arranged for him to receive a generous gift certificate in appreciation of his years of service. That was a very nice touch, and Zack duly expressed his gratitude to everybody for everything!
He was in fact very happy with how everything turned out despite the rather strained and gloomy work environment now prevailing there. The new supervisor, who replaced the old (retired) nincompoop, is kind of "creepy", Zack thinks. But that is neither here nor there ... and it is not going to affect Zack's spirit going forward.
I told Zack I will see him soon and more often. He said okay, he's cool with that. He and I are cut from the same cloth ... you might even say we may be one and the same person. And you may not be too far from the truth! Good luck, Zack! .... Good luck, me?!
I called him a few minutes ago at his home. He had just gotten out of bed and was lazily getting his breakfast when he answered the phone. Last night he had come home from his last day at work, hurriedly gotten undressed, and taken a long luxuriating bath. Then, he snuggled in bed with his wife. He stayed sleeping while his wife got up in the morning, kissed him on the forehead, wished him a restful day and left for work. He slumbered in bed a while longer listening to some music by Handel and Bach that was playing on MPR (Minnesota Public Radio).
I noticed Zack sounded different ... somewhat at ease, and even cheerful ... not the old stressed self. I asked him how his last day at work went. He said just fine ... they respected his desire for no fireworks, and he got a nice farewell card signed by many of his colleagues. What's more, the manager had arranged for him to receive a generous gift certificate in appreciation of his years of service. That was a very nice touch, and Zack duly expressed his gratitude to everybody for everything!
He was in fact very happy with how everything turned out despite the rather strained and gloomy work environment now prevailing there. The new supervisor, who replaced the old (retired) nincompoop, is kind of "creepy", Zack thinks. But that is neither here nor there ... and it is not going to affect Zack's spirit going forward.
I told Zack I will see him soon and more often. He said okay, he's cool with that. He and I are cut from the same cloth ... you might even say we may be one and the same person. And you may not be too far from the truth! Good luck, Zack! .... Good luck, me?!
