Happy Retirement, Mom!

I'm so happy for you!

I should have found a more flattering photo of your mustache.  Sorry.

My memories of your working life:
When I was a little kid, you always worked at home managing the apartment complex where we lived.  I loved typing on your typewriter and your 10-key machine and pretending to collect money in the pouch with the zipper that you used to deposit everybody's rent! 
When I was like 11 or 12, you got that job at UHC processing insurance claims.  You had to work nights for a really long time.  In fact, when I got my drivers' license, if I wanted to use the car, I would have to pick you up, and sometimes fell asleep in the car waiting because you would always work late.  So dedicated!
At times, you needed to vent and complain about "the office" and I knew it was important to let you get things off your chest...but I had no idea what you were talking about and so I would just nod and express my complete agreement.
But then finally you got on the day shift, and after I graduated high school Nikki Werdier and I got hired too and we all worked together!  I used to run out to the car at 5:57am practically still in my pajamas so we could make it to work by 6am.  (It was at some point during this time that some honest person clued me into the fact that I have a greasy spot in my hair where it parts halfway down the back of my head if I don't wash it.)  Sometimes we'd go to lunch at Fast Eddies.  And I always came to your desk for coffee break.
One day, we had a record cold of -90 degrees Fahrenheit with windchill.  We got up, got the car unstuck from the driveway and drove all the way to the office only to find that it was closed. 

I can't believe you have worked there for over 20 years!

Now both you and dad are retired!!  All the better to take care of me when I live with you this summer.  And if you do a really really good job, I might consider staying longer.

Here's hoping you and dad don't kill each other with all this extra time spent together.  LOVE YOU!