Today my work partner of 33 years announced that he is retiring in three weeks. I wonder what’s in store for the survivors. I’m not that far behind him, because I’m targeting next July for myself, and I’m incredibly thankful that he chose to continue working with us as long as he has, but I’m trying not to panic over what’s in store for our project in the interim. Or, more honestly, what’s in store for me. We’re partners in a very narrow field, so I hope that doesn’t mean that I inherit his responsibilities. I’m already drowning in my own, and I have a full plate just preparing for my own transition, because I don’t want to leave anything or anyone hanging.
I wonder what will happen with our project. I’ve sort of thought of it as his magnum opus, but it hasn’t been realized to the vision intended, so I hope he can wrap up his career without a feeling of sadness for things not coming together as desired. We certainly made heroic efforts and accomplishments, even so.
Maybe our Padawan will step up and surprise us. He could do great. Or maybe our project will morph into something completely different.
Whatever is in store, it’s nearly time to pass the baton. It’s a difficult time. It’s been an amazing ride, one way or another. Somehow we managed to keep afloat five years beyond what seemed the last hurrah, the end of the last era.
