Was I Wonder Woman?

I truly enjoyed my special time with my previous co-workers today. The office had its annual Thanksgiving luncheon and, as per tradition, invited all of the retirees to join them. What a difference a few years makes! There were more retirees that I knew than active employees, after a few years only. What will it be like in another 5 years I wonder. We didn't outnumber the active employees by any means and we probably never will due to our aging. I think the oldest one present was probably 85 or so. It was great to see them all. Actually, the retirees looked about as young as the active ones; perhaps that is due to stress on them which we have given up. I loved going, visiting with all my old friends as long as I wanted; yet, I regretted that the ones working had to return to the office and we didn't get to visit as long as we wished. I remember feeling envious of those who were retired when I was still working, watching them goof around and enjoy each other while I had to return to the grindstone. Times have really changed. I was told that there are 9 and one-half new employees doing the job which I did by myself! Wow! I didn't realize that I was considered a "Wonder Woman"!! Now, I know the job has added a couple of responsibilities but I had to work 10 + hours a day to get the job done and some things had to take a back seat. As one of my friends who still works said today, "I know that you had to spend a lot of time just putting out fires", and that's so true. When one is dedicated to the job she wants to do the very best and many times, the best can't be achieved in the amount of hours available.

I often think about the hours and hours I spent on the job and regret that I didn't have more time to spend with my children. I was blessed in many ways and could spend some time with them but never enough. WE were able to go camping across the country and also North. The children dammed up streams all the way across the United States and had a ball doing it. Those memories will always be fresh in my minds and, I think, in theirs too. Our daughter loves camping to this day and spends a great deal of time with her family in the campgrounds. Now, that's what I call family togetherness, the key to a great Thanksgiving season. I urge all moms and dads to spend as much time as possible with their families and then some. Be thankful and make the time.