33

33...

Days, that is, until I retire. I told myself I wasn't going to count the days, yet somehow I did.

It's been 35 years. Sure, I could have gone longer. After all most people in real jobs go more than 35. But I figure a career is something like a race (as in running). No matter how long it is, you brace for it. When I run a 5 mile race, it seems to take forever to get to 4 miles. But when I run a marathon, 12 miles goes by before I know it. So it’s all relative.

And approaching retirement is like approaching the finish line. A few hundred yards in the middle of a race goes by lickety-split, but I've been in races when I was just 200 yards from the finish, and I didn't know if I was going to make it. It’s like that in my job as well. I only have 33 days, but it seems like an eternity.

Not that I hate teaching. On the contrary, it’s been a great 35 years. I couldn't imagine having done anything else. I still enjoy doing it, once I drag myself out of bed and actually get there, anyway.  Yet just like a race, if somebody moved the finish line during the event, it would be devastating. If I were running a marathon, and  at 25 miles someone told me that I would have to run 28.2 miles rather than 26.2, I would not be pleased. Yeah, that would be tough.

So I’m definitely not complaining about having to work for 35 years. After all, I’m retiring at 57, and most people don’t get that luxury. Still, I don’t want to add a few more years onto it, any more than I’d want to run a few extra miles in a marathon.

Yes, I've really enjoyed this career. But it is definitely time to move on. To what, I'm not exactly sure, which is both exciting and terrifying. But for now, even though I’m ready to leave, I wonder what I’ll miss about it. Because teaching wasn't something I did, it was what I was. And that’s a huge difference.

In 33 days, I’ll no longer be a teacher, or a coach. It will be odd. May 31 will be a joyful day. But I think it will be a little sad as well.  It will be difficult not to say “I’m a teacher.” I've always been secretly proud of saying that.  Somehow, I've always felt that it was a special calling. I still feel that way. And I’m leaving it.

But it’s time. Thirty-three more school days.

Unless we get a fog day!