Friday, June 27, 2008
Father's Day
Well I posted on Mother's Day but didn't on Father's day. I should have. For the first time in many years I spent part of the day with all of my decedents - my daughters and my grandsons. In years past someone always had something else that needed to be done. But this year, out of the blue, my oldest daughter calls and wants to know the plans for Father's Day. This action might seem normal for most people but for my oldest it was a great change of direction. And I've got to admit I really enjoyed having all of them here. My wife cooked an extraordinary meal and then everyone had to leave. But for just a few hours it was spectacular - one of those days that you wish occurred every day. Even if it never happens again, I will always treasure this Father's Day.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day
Well we made it through another Mother's day. I got to spend part of my day with my Mother-in-law since all of her children including my wife were out of town. I've got to admit that it made me somewhat sad. My Mother died in 1994 quite unexpectedly. I never got the chance to tell her goodbye. I'm not sure what I would have said other than "I Love You" and "Thank You for everything that you did for me". Still, missing that opportunity has left somewhat of a hole in me.
As I was growing up the term love just wasn't used that much. I'm not sure why. Maybe I was too independent to listen. Maybe my parents understood that I knew. I never doubted that they loved me but the words were rarely there. I guess all of this history figures into how I interact with my own children and grandchildren. I try to always tell them that I Love them whenever we talk. I always tell my grandchildren that I Love them also - I don't care that they are all boys and this action probably isn't the manly thing to do. But the truth is that I do Love them all.
Why is it that all of these obvious truths only come with age? With age comes wisdom or with age comes regret? I don't have that answer but I know that I will continue to let my loved ones know how much I care for them until I am no longer able to do so. Maybe that is the part of our lives they will remember when they get my age.
As I was growing up the term love just wasn't used that much. I'm not sure why. Maybe I was too independent to listen. Maybe my parents understood that I knew. I never doubted that they loved me but the words were rarely there. I guess all of this history figures into how I interact with my own children and grandchildren. I try to always tell them that I Love them whenever we talk. I always tell my grandchildren that I Love them also - I don't care that they are all boys and this action probably isn't the manly thing to do. But the truth is that I do Love them all.
Why is it that all of these obvious truths only come with age? With age comes wisdom or with age comes regret? I don't have that answer but I know that I will continue to let my loved ones know how much I care for them until I am no longer able to do so. Maybe that is the part of our lives they will remember when they get my age.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Still Here
Okay so what is 15 months among friends? It has been that long since there was a post here - not that it matters since no one but me reads this blog anyway.
To catch up - the evil empire decided my job was no longer needed since they decided to close down the premier testing facility in the United States. I was offered the opportunity to find another job within at&t or to accept their separtion offer. After thinking for at the most a half of a second I chose the separation package. And since I was somewhat critical to the facility I was offered a separation extension to help close down the BTAC. This extension worked in my favor since I was able to take my separation package in 2008 instead of 2007 with a great savings in taxes. Talk about eating your cake and having it too!
So now I am retired - somewhat. I'm teaching at UAB more and teaching a class that I've never taught before. I had forgotten how time-consuming that class preparation could be. My two day a week job turned into a four day a week job. However I am much happer than if I had stayed at at&t. My mind is being forced to work again because I am teaching things I haven't seen in 20 - 30 years. And as most teachers know the secret to teaching is being able to teach something to yourself and then you can teach it to others. And the biggest surprise of all is that I once again have a desire to learn. I have also learned things from the students especially those who are a little older.
Image my ignorance that I had no idea there was a novel called "Atlas Shrugged". I also had no idea there were Stamp microprocessors that are available to the average person. I had forgotten what z-transforms are and why anyone cared about them. And on the down side I had forgotten that some students just want the easy way to a degree and will work hard to get that easy way - such a waste of time and energy.
The best side of retirement is that I have more time to spend with my Grandchildren. I get to babysit my youngest one at least two days a week. Babies are truly God's miracles. I get to go to tot ball games and watch 3 and 4 year old kids try to catch and hit a ball. I am home when my wife comes home instead of dragging in at a later time. I can take her to work and pick her up so that she won't get wet in the rain.
Retirement - I would highly recommend it.
To catch up - the evil empire decided my job was no longer needed since they decided to close down the premier testing facility in the United States. I was offered the opportunity to find another job within at&t or to accept their separtion offer. After thinking for at the most a half of a second I chose the separation package. And since I was somewhat critical to the facility I was offered a separation extension to help close down the BTAC. This extension worked in my favor since I was able to take my separation package in 2008 instead of 2007 with a great savings in taxes. Talk about eating your cake and having it too!
So now I am retired - somewhat. I'm teaching at UAB more and teaching a class that I've never taught before. I had forgotten how time-consuming that class preparation could be. My two day a week job turned into a four day a week job. However I am much happer than if I had stayed at at&t. My mind is being forced to work again because I am teaching things I haven't seen in 20 - 30 years. And as most teachers know the secret to teaching is being able to teach something to yourself and then you can teach it to others. And the biggest surprise of all is that I once again have a desire to learn. I have also learned things from the students especially those who are a little older.
Image my ignorance that I had no idea there was a novel called "Atlas Shrugged". I also had no idea there were Stamp microprocessors that are available to the average person. I had forgotten what z-transforms are and why anyone cared about them. And on the down side I had forgotten that some students just want the easy way to a degree and will work hard to get that easy way - such a waste of time and energy.
The best side of retirement is that I have more time to spend with my Grandchildren. I get to babysit my youngest one at least two days a week. Babies are truly God's miracles. I get to go to tot ball games and watch 3 and 4 year old kids try to catch and hit a ball. I am home when my wife comes home instead of dragging in at a later time. I can take her to work and pick her up so that she won't get wet in the rain.
Retirement - I would highly recommend it.
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