A Well-Earned Vacation

My mother, Roberta, opening gifts at her retirement party ~ August 26, 2010

Today is my mother's last day of work. She is retiring from Bowdoin College, after spending a better part of her life this far, working harder than anyone I've ever known. Her very first job was picking beans, followed by working on Cape Cod for many summers as a chambermaid. She worked as a bookkeeper in Bangor, and then came to Brunswick where she worked at the Bath Times, which later became the Times Record. Then, it was onto Maine Times, where she worked for 26 years, until it went out of business. How scary it must have been for her, having to look for a new job, 16 1/2 years ago. I've never really thought about that, until recently. My mother has always had an incredible work ethic, never missing work unless absolutely necessary, always concerned about how her absence would impact her work or her coworkers. She had cancer 10 years ago this fall, and even continued to work throughout her radiation treatments. Not all that surprising, because this is the same person who won an award as a senior in high school, for never missing a day of school. It is just the way she has always been.

I know my mother has some apprehension regarding the next phase of her life - - I think she's afraid she'll get bored. I have to admit, I'm very excited for what's to come. I'm hoping that now, my mother and father will be able to begin doing more of the things they've always wanted to do. Goodness knows they both deserve it.

On Sunday, they will set out on a road trip cross-country, with their destination being Idaho. You see, there is a little yellow house next door to my home, and they'll be living there for the next few months. I'm so happy I can barely stand it. I love my parents dearly, and the thought of having them as neighbors for a bit, makes me happier than I can even begin to explain.

Congratulations, Mum. I'm so incredibly proud of you, and I am so happy for you and Dad. See you soon!