With a few pension cheques under my belt
from my former job, I’m starting to settle in. I’ve been nervous about one
thing and that is my speech for our June luncheon. Every month, for the time
period that Bill and I have been working, we have paid $1 towards the gift fund. It was a
choice when we were hired and since you don’t miss such a small amount, we both
signed up individually.
The gift fund provides either
flowers, gift cards or a monetary gift towards our wedding, birth, death of
family member or retirement throughout our career. Each June a lovely
retirement luncheon is hosted by said Gift Fund and members can attend for
$3.50. I have gone to every one since it started and loved reuniting with
co-workers from other departments as well as congratulating those who have
retired.
This year it is our turn, Bills and
mine. I could just go, accept the lovely lunch, the introduction, my gift, say
thank you and sit down BUT…………I have things I want to say and even though
putting the words on paper is simple for me, getting those same words out of my
mouth to a roomful of people is a whole other story! Why do I put myself in
this position? Well, I am proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career with the
Board and want to share my humble beginnings with the many newer staff who have
no idea of the changes over 33 years.
We arrive, all gussied up with 9
other retirees for our social including lemonade, fruit and pictures. Corsages/boutonnieres
are pinned on and we get photos taken individually and as a group. Very nicely
done although a little confusion due to the cooler weather. Inside or outside?
After lunch, a cheese stuffed
chicken, green beans, carrots and salad topped off with strawberry shortcake
and whipped cream, speeches begin. Obviously with our last name beginning with
an ”R” I know we are near the end……….so
even though I enjoy the other speeches, the nerves are settling in with each retiree’s
intro. Breathe Pat breathe.
Our supervisor, Deb, rises and
introduces us both together at our request. Mine, especially, feeling that I
need Bill’s closeness for support. My speech is about 6 minutes long, when
practiced at home here but I probably ran through it in 4 min. tops. Lucky for
the audience, no doubt! At least I
remembered to pause and look at people once in a while even though I read from
my notes verbatim.
Bill stepped up after me with no
paperwork and although he surprisingly sounded a bit nervous too, he spoke off
the cuff! He is so good at that and he got a few chuckles as he’d hoped. We
were done. I folded my papers and we sat………. then I relaxed. I wish I didn’t
get that way but I think I have actually improved over the years, if you can
believe it!
The gift cards were in a denomination
much higher than either of us expected and for the venue of our own choosing.
Nice, we can eat and drink on the ‘house’ for a while!
Our pictures were ready before we
left which was nice and didn’t turn out too badly. Who really likes having
their photo taken? We will have to get a frame so it can be hung in our home.
With that business out of the way I
have no other reason to worry and stew about anything. The rest of the week is
slipping by.
Thank you for stopping in! Comments are
welcome.
