I had a doctor's appointment this morning, so I took a sick day. I have a lot of sick time saved, and I'm going to lose it all next week, so rather than take the few hours the appointment needed, I took the whole day. For, you see, I"m retiring. My last duty day is March 28th. On March 29th, I'll turn in my gear and begin the weekend. My first day of paid retirement is April 1st.
I was doing laundry this afternoon, folding a big pile of black, pocket, tee-shirts, and realized that I have worn these for several decades because that's what uniform comps wear. They are getting somewhat shabby, and they'll be converted to shop rags soon, but I'll have to decided wht to wear every day, something that I haven't had to do since I met Belle.
I had retired when I met Belle and was doing contract work but went back in uniform shortly after we met. I've been a cop for most of my adult life, over 37 years behind the badge, and it will be over very soon. Next week is going to be bitter-sweet, but I intend to work my last duty day just like I worked the first one. When my shift is over, I'm sure that it will hit me, but right now, it's just something I have to do until next week is over.
I have two huge projects coming up in April, which is why I'm retiring now. The nearest one is the shooting match I'm hosting, the second weekend of April. The other is a project that I've been planning for six months, but that I won't talk about until April 1st.
Stand by. We're going to have a lot of fun.
Good for you. I hope you have a long and happy retirement.
ReplyDeleteWhen I retired after 31 years in LE, it took me a while to adjust. I could go a whole day without being lied to! It was like being in a parallel universe.
If you're like me, you'll miss the people you worked with, and you'll treasure the memories. But at least in my case, the job now isn't the job I left, and I have no desire to go back, even if I could.
Once again, congratulations, and enjoy the retirement that you've EARNED.
I retired from the Army in 2016, 20 years active duty. I became a cop.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes joke that I wanted a job where I didn't have to think about what I was going to wear to work. (I mean, there is a little bit of choice - short sleeves or long? Should I wear my jacket? If I'm on bike duty, I can choose shorts or long pants. Actually, all the choice are weather and comfort related variations on the uniform.)
i have no idea what I'll do when I retire retire. The idea is almost terrifying.
Me, I got books I ain't read, movies I haven't watched, and a 5 gallon whiskey still I haven't even assembled. Yet.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and God's grace to you for your service.
Storyteller
Congratulations! And best wishes for retirement and getting all those honey-dos caught up! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are on top of this, but remember to do your Retired Law Enforcement Officers paperwork and take the shooting test.
ReplyDeleteI will have to ask the Philly detective that I go to if anybody does their qualification shooting with a single action revolver!
Best wishes and I haven't found retirement to be the least bit boring.
Good luck and have fun in your WELL deserved retirement.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious - all those years on having a piece on you hip, are you going to carry concealed in retirement? Or does LA have open carry?
Thanks for ALL tose years of duty to country and community!!