Friday, October 5, 2012

The End – And A New Beginning

Gavin and PapaToday is the end – and the beginning.  The end of many years of hard work and commitment and consistent attendance and integrity in some very tough times.  This is the day we have talked about and dreamed of and planned for a long time.  (Three months ago I made a countdown calendar.  Last night my sweetheart was so excited to mark off ‘one more day’ he just couldn’t help embellishing today’s date.)PA044759My sweetheart is retiring from Stanley Hydraulic Tools today!  He has been a member of the Stanley Tool company for nearly twenty five years.  It was a job that was much needed – and he started at the bottom, even though he was well qualified for more.  It was grunt work, a foot-in-the-door job.  And he did it without complaining.  Ever.

Through the years my sweetheart’s true character showed through and he was promoted and honored and moved to more responsibility.  One day he was named Assistant Plant Supervisor and he never dreamed where that would take him.  Through a long illness of the Plant Supervisor my sweetheart worked many, long hours to keep up with the needs of the operation.  Then a day came that he was told his supervisor would not return.  My sweetheart immediately became the Acting Operations Supervisor (a title change had taken place somewhere in there).  For over a year and a half he maintained that position.  At times he felt he was in over his head.  But he kept going.  Without complaint.  Always with a good attitude and a smile.  Applications were taken for the position and interviews brought it down to two men – my sweetheart and a younger man from outside the company.  The management was concerned about my sweetheart – what would he do if he wasn’t chosen for the position?  His answer, ‘I want what’s best for the company.  If another person is hired I will do everything I can to help him or her learn what they need to know.’ And he did just that.  Another man was hired (and, quite frankly, we were relieved).  My sweetheart did what he said he would do and it wasn’t long before the new supervisor said he wanted my sweetheart to step into a newly created, extremely important position – Operations Coordinator.  Over the past nearly three years he has made sure all of the raw materials were ordered, he has plotted production through the plant to meet shipping deadlines and he has been one to whom everyone could go to talk or to share a problem.  He has won awards.  He has been admired and highly respected by people at the top of Stanley Tools.  He has been there for people, no matter their position or background.  He has championed the ‘little guy’ and applauded the ‘top dog’!

At noon today I will join him and his bosses and coworkers to honor his service – and who he has been to the people he’s worked with.  In conversations with his boss I learned that my sweetheart will leave a big ‘hole’ – a gap that can’t be filled by anyone else.  Even though others will come and go and fill the roles he had there’s no one will be more respected and loved than my sweetheart.  I am proud of him and today I will join others to applaud and give thanks for who he is – and who he has been through the years.

Then we will begin a new chapter in our lives.  We don’t know what that means.  We haven’t decided what we want to be now that we are all grown up!  We have ideas and thoughts and passions.  Time will tell – and God will lead.  Our hearts will always be full of gratitude for the years we’ve had in the past but the future stretches out ahead of us with such hope.  And joy!

19 comments:

  1. WooHoo! Congratulations to your sweetheart on his retirement! How exciting:>) I bet there will be a lot of camping and fishing to fill some of those hours. I hope he enjoys every moment of the free time he worked so hard for. Way to go, he sounds like a wonderful guy!

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  2. Congratulations to your hubby! I can't wait to see where this new journey will take you two. :)

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  3. Congratulations on retirement but more than that...congratulations on being who God called you to be where God called you to serve. Where ever we use the gifts God gave us is the mission field, whether it's in some foreign country, in our community, in our workplace or in our home. You and your husband have done God's work in all those places and I know you will continue to do so even in your retirement. blessings, marlene

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  4. Adrienne ~ How wonderful for your sweetheart and what a lovely testament to a strong man in your life. I wish both of you all the best in your "golden" years. Congratulations and may the Lord lead you wherever you may go ~ Have a WONDERFUL day ;-)

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  5. This post made me smile all the way through! I can read the pride in your words. Your husband is one of those rare people who recognizes that there is joy and purpose to our labors. Now he will reap his ultimate reward. Many burdens will now lift. It's time to concentrate on doing what both of you want to do, without having the juggle a restricted amount of time. It is a simple, but powerful, gift.

    The biggest adjustment will be a huge reduction in personal interactions. That is one of the downsides of retirement. So, if he is a people person, he'll have to focus on how to fill that void. And the center of his universe will more clearly focus on YOU! I know that you will have a great partnership during this chapter of your lives.

    What would be my best advice for the both of you? HAVE FUN!!!

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  6. What a wonderful day to culminate a job well done by someone of fine character and commitment! Best wishes to you both as you begin this new journey together :)

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS to the BOTH of you! The best is yet to be!

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  8. Yeah! Congrats to both of you. This next chapter in your lives will be exciting!

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  9. congrats to your husband...retirement...how wonderful...and a little scarey!!

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  10. Congratulations to your husband! Thanks for sharing that great picture and information about him. I know you are proud of him. God bless you with many more years of hope and joy. Hugs ~

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  11. Congratulations to your Sweetheart and a beautiful tribute from the one who loves him so. It shows, Adrienne! :) There should be more men like yours (and mine) who are honest, hard working and God loving! We're blessed, aren't we? I wish you two the best as you start this new chapter. It's fun, I'll tell you.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. Today I was reading in a book how our work is our love made visible. He will have new work to do and perhaps in this season you can do it together. Blessings on your new beginning!

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  13. I know you and hubby have been looking forward to this time for awhile! Congratulations for a job well done- it is seldom that a hole is left when one leaves a job as the work ethic is nil to none!

    Know God has great things ahead for you 2 and little Daffodil too!

    Carolyn arrives Wed- I do hope she will enjoy her time here! The Fall colors are fading fast with the colder weather so am not sure if she will be able to see it and I know that was one thing she was hoping for.

    We had some dear friends in the same mission as we are come this week end at the spur of the moment then went with them to see another precious couple in our organization in pagosa springs- we had such a wonderful time!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  14. Congratulations to your husband! You have a whole new life ahead of you which is so exciting!

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  15. Congratulations to your husband for a job well done. And now hip-hip-hooray for new adventures!

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  16. Congratulations! Many exciting adventures are in store for you and your dear husband. God's blessings be yours on your adventures!

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  17. Congrats to your hubby! Enjoy all the wonderful journeys and discoveries of retirement!!!

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  18. What an exciting time in your life. My husband retired 3 years ago and it has been an interesting time. He was like your husband, very dedicated to his job for many years. He missed work some, but the pleasure of doing what you want, when you want is really nice.

    Enjoy the time. It is a very precious stage of life!!

    Congratulations!

    Judy

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  19. Your husband will eventually wonder how he ever found the time to go to work I am sure.

    The settling in period may not be so easy though. It does take time for men to adjust. Took Alan about 6 months. That was 19 years ago - where did the years go? Blessings. Barbara

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