Separation

Separation

As most of you know, I have announced my retirement from General Motors. I have been working for this place in all of it's many forms for over 31 years now as an engineer, and many more with various companies and firms. I specialized in Electrical Machine Controls. I made machines move, function, work. Much easier than making people do the same thing. It's been a fun career. I see my creations all over this place, and also in some products on the market. Mostly fuel and emissions systems, but also copiers, blood analyzers, waste treatment plants, the Buffalo transit system, A nuclear power plant, and the etch-a-sketch.  I really enjoyed the work, and gave it a full (some disagree) one hundred percent, right up until about... NOW.


Weeks ago I emailed my retirement announcement. Sending it as an email makes it very official, gives me a record, and takes away all the emotional response of a one on one with your boss. My super is a good guy, and I knew he would be shocked and upset. He was, but at least with an email he had time to think before he spoke, and all is well now. He still thinks I'm screwing him over, but he's OK with it.


Some of the folks I work with find it hard to believe I would leave all this splendor, all this magic that is General Motors. Shocked they are. I am not sure why I took everyone by surprise. Really? There could not have been more clues. We sold our house, got rid of all of our stuff, moved into an apartment and boat, and moved the boat south. Hello! Besides the obvious, I also cleaned out my office of all personal items. I also replaced the Lake Ontario chart on my office wall with a water color painting of a beach with palm trees.

One person figured it out and she kept it to herself, and I'm very proud of her. So, when the announcement came there were many jaw dropped faces, some smiling ones, and some worried. Everyone seemed happy for me, and I've been shaking many hands. So many in fact, that it feels a little sore today.


I'm still smiling, possibly a little sad, but looking forward to the new adventure, and finally getting back together with Debra who is waiting patiently for my arrival. I will miss many people at GM and Delphi. Most of them I will never see again, and some I hope I will see again some day. They were a big part of my life for over thirty years, but now it is time to move on.

For the moment, I'm a little dazed by it all, but I know it will all be better soon. Palm trees and Deb await. OK, Deb and palm trees.  :)

Going to listen to some Harry Chapin, and think about things, while I pack up my belongings.