Blog readers might recall that the assignment for the seniors in my memoir-writing class last Wednesday was “The Last Time I Saw Her.” Wanda Bridgeforth stretched the topic a bit, and her essay was so sweet I thought I’d share it here with you as I say goodbye to Hanni and take off for the airport.
That’s Wanda, saying farewell to a fellow retiree. Photo by Sheila A. Donovan
The Last Time I Will See You
by Wanda Bridgeforth
The announcement of your retiring and moving to another city came as a bit of a surprise. My first thought was how much I will miss you. How selfish of me. I have retired twice. Instead of expressing sadness I offer observations and bits of advice and say, “WELCOME TO RETIREMENT!”
I retired and moved to another part of the city and felt moments of isolation. This will pass. There will be times you will start preparing for work and suddenly remember you are no longer part of the hustle and bustle of the rat race.
DON’T FRET!!! TAKE A NAP!!!
Retirement is a benefit that comes to all in the process of aging and the passing of time. I can’t tell you how to prepare for it. Everyone must cope in his own way. One day at a time.
there will be days the hours will fly. Others they will crawl and boredom will prevail. These days are tests of ingenuity. Explore your new surroundings. Look up at the sky. See the beautiful formations of the clouds, smell the flowers, listen to the birds. RELAX!!! RELAX!!!
Winter is coming; you can shut off the alarm clock. Roll over and take another nap. Retirement means you don’t have to slosh through the rain and sleet, cold and heat, to get to work or appointments.
The times you feel unneeded look back at the job you performed. The service you rendered. The comfort you gave, the lives you touched. Every job, every being is a stitch in the quilt of life and living. In your new setting you will make new friends and have new experiences. I’m sure you have many memories to share.
At retirement occasions we vow to keep in touch. Our intentions are good and our promises sincere, but time passes, lifestyles change and the chances of meeting again are lessened.
As I say Good-bye and God Speed, I raise my cup of Java and wish a Long and Happy Retirement to my friend and fellow author Hanni Finke Knezovich.
Wanda, I’ve heard a lot about you, your great writing and fabulous personality and so your wonderful essay about retirement does not surprise me! Great words of wisdom for anyone….maybe I’ll keep it for myself to refer to in 15 years or so. Thanks.
how sweet!
Beth – Caught up with you via Jenny Fou and Jill this weekend. I am sure this is going to be a tough week for you. Safe journeys.
Jenny
I was interested in the “The Last Time I Saw Her” assignment when you gave it. Am guessing your other students did not write about retirement — what were their essays like?
Good luck with your new dog and happy retirement to Hanni.
What wonderful advice for Hanni as she begins her retirement years. You are very wise, Wanda!
I thought of you and your new dog in my prayers this morning at mass.
All my love…..
This is a fabulous piece. I’m sure Wanda speaks for the whole writing group. The best way to retire is to give it your all! Go for it, Hanni!
Though not a dog lover, I shall miss Hanni. I was amazed how she basically melted into the carpet during class.Never barking, whining, getting restless. If I’m going to miss Hanni, I can imagine how you feel. Best of luck with your new guide dog!
I’m in the process of writing a poem about Hanni. I’ll share it once it’s finalized. (Almost finished, but I have to play with a few of the words.)
Great essay, Wanda. Much for me to ponder as I prepare to announce my retirement later this week.
Hanni is a sweetheart. I hope she has a long and restful retirement; she earned it.
I have heard it said that the bond between a Seeing eye dog and its partner is the strongest. I don’t know if that is true – I have loved and missed the regular guys and the guiding ones. I do know that there is no day more sad than the one when we say goodbye. And there is no other day more exciting than that day we first meet our new friend. What kind of ddog? What name? Will it ever be as good as my old friend? I have had two days of saying hello and one of saying goodbye in my life with Seeing Eye dogs. I can’t forget my current buddy – he is my constant companion. And I’ll never forget my former best friend.
Wonderful essay, Wanda. All my best wishes to you, Beth, on your day of days. And to Hanni, ignore that alarm clock and know you are loved.
Jeff Flodin
Thank you all so much for the good wishes – I write to you today from my room at the Seeing Eye as I wait for my trainer to come down, lead me to one of the lounges here and introduce me to my new dog.
They’ve kept me and my 17 fellow blind students busy these past few days teaching us our way around the school using white canes (we had to be confident knowing our way around before being introduced to our dogs, as we have to be able to tell the dogs when to turn “right” and “left’ to get where we want to go). We’ve also practiced fire drills and had many, many class lectures and took three different walks with our instructors so they can judge how fast we walk and how strong a pull we can manage from our new dog and so on and so on.
Life as I know it will change in a matter of minutes. No news yet of gender or breed or name, because really, they didn’t know *exactly* which dog I’d get until they had a chance to evaluate my pace and strength and disposition and tone of voice (the lilt in how we say “hup up” or “forward” all matters, too).
Have to be at the ready, leash in hand, when my trainer comes, so need to end here. A big thank you to Wanda and to all of you who have left comments here, your kind and thoughtful words have really helped me transition from my last walk with Hanni Saturday morning to where I am now, waiting to meet her successor.
Once the two of us meet, we will be busy, busy, busy getting to know each other and learning how to work together. I’m afraid I may be too busy to blog or answer email messages, so Mike has generously agreed to keep up my blog for me while I am gone, check here periodically for updates on his progress at home, Hanni’s progress in her retirement home, and my progress with the New Dog.
Stay tuned –
Here is my completed poem!
TWO SIDES OF HANNI
Hanni was a leader.
We knew her only on the job.
Calm, helpful, gentle.
Not easily flustered.
Her mind remained
On tasks at hand.
To our dismay,
We weren’t allowed to
Befriend her.
Hanni’s retirement
Brought sadness and joy.
She was Beth’s seeing-eye dog.
Freed from the leash
Her last day at work,
Her personality burst forth.
Dashing from person to person,
Nuzzling each.
Her tail wagging so quickly,
I thought it would detach to
Circle the room like a boomerang.
Soon Beth summoned Hanni,
Reattaching leash and halter.
Professional Hanni guided Beth
One last time.
Hanni was a leader.
Dedicated to Beth Finke’s seeing-eye dog Hanni
Happy retirement!
Sheila A. Donovan
Beth – thank you for update from Morristown. Do all 17 of you meet your new “buddies” at the same time? Wanda- your writing was beautiful and so appropriate for all “retirees” human and animal! And Sheila your poem is so perfect. I can see Hanni running all around the room to say good bye to you all. btw- great writing topic Beth!
Loved Wanda’s essay!
Thanks for printing my essay. Finally was able to pull up your blog. Thanks to all for heart warming comments.
Welcome to Harper. Looking forward to meeting him.
Keep well and hug my new Seat Mate.
Luv Ya
Wanda B.
[…] regular blog readers know Wanda from some of her essays I’ve excerpted here. When she heard my voice on the phone, she excused herself to turn down the radio. “I’m tired […]
[…] is an animal lover. You might remember the beautiful letter she wrote when it came time for Hanni, my Seeing Eye dog, to retire last year. Harper may not be able to […]
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