Retirement Hopes


A funny thing happened on the 328th day of 2021.  I was walking from the garage, to the Franklin Building on 11/24/2021 and I saw a long-time colleague for the first time in....well....it feels like forever (WAY before the pandemic).  As we were talking, she asked me, "so when are you retiring?"  Now, I have been thinking a lot about retirement in the past six months, but NOT MINE, retirement of others.  I do not know if it is Covid, Timing, the impending leadership change at Penn, or other factors, but it sure feels as if a lot of my long-time colleagues (and mentors) have been retiring recently.  So I have a lot of retirement hopes.  I surely hope that those who are retiring have a great next chapter of their lives.  Filled with things they WANT to do, not those that they HAVE to do.  I hope that Penn can withstand the loss of all of the institutional history and knowledge that departs with those who are leaving.  I hope that I can keep in touch with a lot of the retirees, especially those from whom I glean advice and knowledge on a regular basis.  And, frankly, I hope when I DO retire (target: 9/4/2036 so I have a LONG way to go), that I can follow the model set by my Mom and Dad and be just as busy, with the things that I love.  Except for when I just want to relax (or travel!)  But not ready any time soon, so I hope my career at Penn continues to be meaningful and fun, until it's time.

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