CONGRATS JOHN!

Over the past few months, I've been compiling a list of some of the signs of getting older.

Things like,

1) The doctor who treats you at the walk-in clinic looks as young as Justin Bieber.

2) You're hearing a strange sound coming from the kitchen but can't quite figure it out. It doesn't sound like the stove or the kettle. Then you realize you forgot to turn off the tap.

3) You have trouble getting into a top bunk and even more trouble getting out..

4) Your grandchildren are helping you with your cell phone.

5) You discover the keys you've misplaced are actually still in the front door lock.

6) You attend the retirement party of one of your former students...Yikes!

In fact, last night, I attended the retirement party of John Murphy, Brebeuf College's Head of Guidance. In John's gracious retirement speech, he made reference to a recent Toronto Star article about retirement. The columnist explained that the 168 hours in a week can be divided into three buckets....a 56 hour bucket for sleep, a 56 hour bucket for work and a 56 hour bucket for fun. John seemed all too eager to accept the article's observation that retirement means your work bucket is now empty and that you can begin to enjoy an extra bucket of fun.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that although you do have that extra bucket in retirement, it's actually filled with visits to the family doctor, the dentist, the optometrist, the cardiologist, the urologist, the orthopedic surgeon...you get the idea.

Seriously though, it was a great delight to watch John join the ranks of Freedom 55 after a long and successful career. My only regret is that I forgot to sign his book of well wishes so may I pass along my message here.

John, congrats on your richly deserved retirement....and know my friend,  the best is yet to come!