Friday, January 29, 2010

Moving along...

We've been moving toward this day for twenty years, and now that it's here, it feels a tad anticlimactic. That's okay. We've had too much excitement over the last oh, seven years, we are welcoming a bit of calm transition with open arms.

At long last, after what seems like a lifetime of preparation and paperwork, Pete signed the last of his military forms today. Walking out of the transition office with a HUGE smile on his face, he said simply, "I'm done." And with that, his military career ended. Like I said, it was anticlimactic. We then went over to the post exchange and purchased that all-important "Retired Army" baseball cap that is standard for retirees, and picked out a "US Army Retired" window cling for each of our vehicles. You could say he's just SLIGHTLY excited. I have lost count of the times today he's said "I'm retired!"

What's pretty funny about today is that when we left the house this morning, he had an odd look on his face; offering a penny for his thoughts, he obliged and told me, "This feels like I'm stepping off the edge of a cliff into a fog, where I can't see anything below my feet but I *know* that the ground is just a couple of inches down under the fog". Pretty heavy stuff all of a sudden. I think that's the most philosophical he's gotten in several years! Needless to say, he stepped right onto that ground and will take the first few steps into what other retirees have described as "a whole 'nuther world" on Monday, when he starts his job a few miles from where he's worked for 18 months. This time, his work day is fixed; he will have a real, dependable schedule, but he'll have to choose what to put on when he dresses himself. Big changes!

As if ONE huge life change wasn't enough, our son added yet another BIGGIE to our day when he showed up unexpected with a "gift" for his girlfriend...Grandma, sit down. Our not-so-little boy, all on his own, went and picked out a beeeeutiful 5/8 karat diamond, set in white gold, and proposed tonight. She. Said. Yes. In a year or so, after he comes back from Afghanistan, we'll be gaining another daughter! He's done pretty well for himself this time, and we couldn't be happier. Now to introduce her to the complexities of being an Army wife!?

I am really beginning to understand Pete's cliff/fog metaphor!

5 comments:

Qtpies7 said...

Oh gosh!! At least you get a YEAR to plan! I get 5 weeks! Stupid boys, haha.
I am pretty happy with the girl choice too. What are the odds that in the SAME WEEK both of our sons would propose?
My soon to be daughter in law is coming to live with us on Monday until the wedding. We'll get to know her well.

Stephani Cochran said...

It doesn't seem like enough, but please thank Pete for his service to our country. Just writing those words brings tears to my eyes. There are so many who appreciate what he has done. I wish every military retiree could have a nationwide party thrown for them. But, we can't do that. So what's left except to say a simple thank you. I will be praying for you guys as he makes this transition.

Teri said...

Oh Sweetie....the fun is just beginning. Welcome to the REAL world of roller coasters. Wars-they can handle...as if it were nothing.

Fog - what a great analogy.

Karen said...

Thanks for the prayers for my grandma. Best wishes for your son and his future bride!! Karen

Karen said...

Hi... Ran across you at THL when I was browsing the Alabama group. We are new retirees, too! Hubby just left the AF after a little over 20 years and we moved here to Hville a couple of days before Christmas.

Congratulations... hope you all enjoy retirement.

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