Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Dismayed

Yes, I was dismayed, but upon reflection, it made sense.

Given the season, I recently corresponded with a former teacher colleague. We caught up with various people and a few passings.

I then thought to ask about two young teachers who were in my department after I became a department head in the late 80s. I am not sure exactly when they came onboard but soon after if not right then in one case.

I had to pick myself up off the [metaphorical] floor when I was told that they had both retired.

But when I counted back, I realized that they had put in their 30 years, which is the most standard time frame for teachers around here.

Whose old? I'm not old. They're old.

17 comments:

Marcia said...

Time marches on. I've been retired now over 10 years. I have a hard time thinking about that.

DJan said...

Same. Time sure flies, doesn't it? It's even more scary when your children become senior citizens. :-)

Barbara Rogers said...

I've only been retired 13 years...but it seems like just yesterday!

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

I agree with Djan ... having 3 children 59, 60 & 61 really shocks me ... but I have a good way to handle it. It's called DENIAL (works all the time.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours ... Better days ahead !

gigi-hawaii said...

My daughter has been teaching high school math since 2002, and her husband has been teaching for the same amount of time. They are both in their 40s. Let's see how much longer they can work. Haha.

Margaret said...

I'm on my third year of retirement and very glad I'm not teaching right now. I'd be losing my mind like many of my former colleagues.

MARY G said...

Very very glad to ne retired. I have actually retired three times from various sort-of careers. I hate to say this to you since you are a sleep deprived person, but sleeping in makes old age almost worth it. Some mornings I am a 4:30 am growler, but others I am not. The eldest grandchild just entered his 30's, if you want a scary age number. EEP.
ps 'who's' = 'who is', contracted. 'Whose' is the adjective. I guess obnoxious ex English teachers never really retire. They are just tiresome.

Jenn Jilks said...

It's really hard to believe, isn't it?!

Anvilcloud said...

I know Mary G but I get careless. πŸ€“πŸ˜‡πŸ₯ΊπŸ™„

Mage said...

I too retired many years ago. I sure do like it. G just retired and loves it but like you get's up early.

Hugs to both of you. May the upcoming year be an improvement.

Red said...

I've been retired for 23 years so the new people back then have already taught 23 years and are looking at retirement.

Joanne Noragon said...

We had to get old for them to get old!

Rita said...

Shocking how old other people get! ;)

MARY G said...

Very seldom. I can find a lot of messes in my own stuff if I review. Better not to do so?

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

I agree with you final comment. Who's old?

Anvilcloud said...

Nary G: Trying my best to edit often leads to more mistakes than if I had left it alone. I recently went through a post with what I thought was a fine-tooth comb. I congratulated myself and hit Publish. But when I looked again later, I found a mistake in the very first line.

Kay said...

I know just what you mean. One of my students wrote to say he’s gotten married and is now a lawyer. Another student sent me a book he’d written that was published. Good grief! Where does the time go? I agree. You’re not old at all. You’re only as old as you feel so you’re still a youngster.