THE CALL

As you may know, I have spent the past 23 years working for a large pharmaceutical company as a sales representative.

Several times in the last 10 years we have had re-organizations of the entire company. This usually takes place when a new CEO comes on board and puts his plan of action into effect. We recently (May 2008) had a new CEO take over and in light of the fact that anyone in this industry with half a brain knows that we are over-employed, we (employees)knew what was coming.

DOWNSIZING!

Our retirement formula is that when your age and years of service reach 75 (with at least 20 years with the company), employees can retire! I met this requirement several years ago, but in light of what we all expected, I patiently waited for the severance/retirement package that I knew this great company would offer to their employees who were eligible.




We were told to stay home on December 3rd, 2008 and wait for the call from our respective managers. I had opted out of the new company and waited excitedly for the phone to ring.

At noon my cell phone began to vibrate!

I got the package. Yeah Buddy!!!! I began to vibrate!




I am very grateful for this financial package I was given because there is no law that states my company HAS to do this. I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to work with so many fantastic folks that will be friends of mine for the remainder of my days. I am also grateful that I have been blessed with good health and a great family and a great wife (Jaye)to come home to.

I do not view retirement as sitting home watching "LIVE WRESTLING", but rather simply, a change in careers. One without the stress of before and being able to pick and choose what I will do.

Because I have kept my Georgia Pharmacist's license active, I have many opportunities.

Maybe I'll blog a little more than in the past.

Gotta go now because "WRESTLING" comes on in a few minutes.