Taking Flight

[tedwords]

"I need to retire from retirement." —Sandra Day O'Connor 

A bright new chapter has arrived.

Way back last November, I rather cryptically mentioned a life changing experience. Now it can be told: that week, I had been called in to Boston to oversee a Satellite Media Tour somewhat last minute. At the end of the Tour, as I was enjoying lunch with the talent, a very nice Midwestern financial advisor, out of the blue she looked at me and asked, "Why aren't you retired yet?"

Hmm. Why aren't I?

Then she added, "The money you've saved up for retirement grows for 30 more years, you know."

Hmmm.

Now, you have to know, I am a firstborn. Meaning, I am resistant to change. Even though, my entire life, I have discovered that every major change in my life has inevitably resulted in something better. Doesn't matter. It's how I am hard wired.

But the idea was there. And as I thought about it more and more, and checked everything out, I realized...hmm, maybe I could do this. But still, I set this thought aside until after the holidays. Then in January, since the thought was still walking around in my head on little cat feet, I moved into action.

I'll never forget the night I made the decision to move forward. It was a Sunday night after a day of visiting Putnam, a great day of comics and antiques, and then, the thought of another Monday. And I opened up my laptop and started the process.

I played with that notice for hours. Filled everything out. Checked it again. Almost hit send, then chickened out. Set it aside. Went back to it. And finally, at 11 at night, I hit send.

One week later I told my long suffering boss, who asked me to hold off on telling anyone. And here we are, a month or so later.

This Thursday my boss sent out a very kind note letting everyone know of my decision. She said "we are incredibly grateful to Ted for his many years of creativity, mentorship and leadership, contributions that will have a positive lasting impact on me, our team and the broader organization."

You know me, I got choked up. Before it went out, my BFAW Kim wished me luck and hugged me and all the emotions flowed. I expect there will be a lot of that in the next few weeks.

Now, don't get me wrong, I very much enjoy what I do. I loved my 22 years at MetLife and 12 at Fidelity. But there are so many other things I want to tackle while I am still relatively young.

• I want to help Corb's business grow even bigger. It's fun.


• I have five more book ideas in my head, including my long delayed gay Love Letters idea with Josie.


• I want to go on frequent cross country trips picking up merch with my man.


• Maybe I'll direct another play. Maybe. --I have many more countries to visit, many more cruises to take.


• I also have many more martinis to try, many more Friday night Martini posts to write.

I want more. It's time.

And I am so, so grateful that I have worked so hard and set aside enough and had great companies to work for, so I can leave the Corporate world at the sprightly age of 60. Not being forced out, not because of poor health, but on my own terms. I am so grateful that I have worked for companies that have been so supportive and allowed me to be in a place to fulfil some of my objectives and dreams.

And knowing I have made my mark on this world. Knowing my life has been marked by accomplishment, both personally and professionally.

My last day in this chapter is the middle of April.

So tonight, I raise a "Love is in the Air" martini and toast to the close of one chapter, to the start of another, and to all the great friends and wonderful memories I have accumulated these past 30 years. Goodbye, Corporate America...and hello to the rest of my busy, busy life. I can't wait to see what comes next.