Retirement Chronicles: I Saw A Former Coworker Yesterday
Let’s call him “Don.”
Don worked in the marketing department of the employer I retired from two decades ago. Don was a real go-getter, and great things were predicted for him. He had taken on the position of department director of marketing shortly after I became director of operations. We would often go to lunch together, have a few drinks after work, and play golf on occasion (or try to play golf). I wouldn’t say we were close friends. But we were both young and moving up in the world.
In fact, Don and I were in line to someday become assistant district chief and eventually district chief in Atlanta. The assistant chief was always promoted to district chief. So making assistant chief was the holy grail. Many predicted that Don would get the job over me. I agreed with them. He was hard-working and very smart. Plus, and I say this as respectfully as I can, Don was a brown-noser (to be polite). He knew who to kiss up to. I just did my job.
Two Negatives, Two Positives
But I had two things that set us apart from one another: absenteeism and punctuality. I rarely missed work. I mean, rarely missed. No matter how bad I felt, I would drag myself into the office. And I would be on time. In 30+ years, I was late 3 times. That’s about once every 10 years. I wasn’t as smart as Don. But I showed up for work and was always on time. Don would miss 2 or 3 days a month and showed up late all the time. Nothing was said to him because he was so outstanding at this job.
There were people who noticed who showed up for work and who didn’t. But nothing was said.
Long story short, I was promoted to assistant chief and, a few years later, district chief of operations. Don was devastated. After working for the same employer for 12 years (same as me), Don quit. Unfortunately, Don was unable to get another job without getting fired for having an abrasive personality. That is something I never saw in Don. Losing out on that promotion must have changed him. He got fired after about 3 or 4 jobs. I lost track of him.
Until last Saturday.
An Unexpected And Pleasant Surprise
I needed help finding a tool set on sale at Walmart. I saw a Walmart employee who looked familiar. Don recognized me almost immediately. We went up to each other and shook hands. He is the same age as me, and we both told each other we looked old! It was good to see Don. I told him I was retired now and living the life of a retiree. Then things got quiet. “I’ll probably work until I drop dead, David. I’m never going to retire.” I have heard that many times when I interviewed people for articles here. But hearing it from a man with whom I had shared good times was entirely different.
He had been fired repeatedly by big companies. He started a landscaping company that went bankrupt after 3 years. His life spiraled completely out of control. Now, he was working at Walmart and he is on probation because of so many bathroom breaks. Don said he expected to be fired before the end of the week.
It’s Tough To Know What To Say Sometimes
I’m usually good at words, even in the most difficult situations. But I was at a loss for meaningful words on what to say to Don. He looked around suddenly as if he saw a ghost and nervously said, “Well, it was good to see you again, David. I need to get back to work now.” I told him the same, and Don went back to stocking shelves.
Now, some will say I’m writing this article to gloat. Those who would say that know nothing about me. I’m writing this article as a lesson for those who are still working and trying to climb the ladder. The lesson is that even if you are not the smartest and brightest, there are other qualities that people look for when considering you for promotion. One such quality is called dedication.
All things being equal, if Don’s absenteeism and punctuality had not been an issue, it would most likely have been his being named assistant district chief and then district chief. Instead, he is working in what should be his retirement years, worried about pee breaks.