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Saturday, September 1, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE

September 2, 2012 is my husband's birthday. His 74th one. Still works full time plus call outs and feels not answering his phone if the company is calling is just ridiculous. His work ethic is flawless. Retiring from General Telephone after 22 years of buried work, he collected his retirement in a lump sum, invested it and took a new job 2 days later. Utilities Contracting hired him for his experience and put him in charge of a line crew. He has worked on telephone lines since before I first met him some 32 years ago. He's traveled all over Michigan and northern Indiana repairing or installing new lines and the only days he didn't go to work were the few days that kidney stones or a torn up knee kept him off his feet. There have been 2 kidney stone procedures which kept him home a few days, but otherwise, he has taken the earned vacations and no more.

He left Utilities after a couple of months because Verizon (after they purchased General Telephone Michigan) offered him a position at his pre-retirement seniority because they needed expertise. He couldn't refuse the opportunity to get another 22 year pension for possibly short term work and he also thought maybe the new Verizon platform would be better for him. Possibly a chance at higher management or who knows what else could be down the pike. Utilities was great to him and told him anytime he was more than welcomed to return, if things weren't so good at Verizon.

Things weren't so good at Verizon. He stayed 5 weeks. On a Friday afternoon he called Utilities to tell them he was going to work 1 more week and would like to return, they said, "See ya Monday." So retirement number 2 lasted the week-end.  Pension number 2 was collected, lump sum and invested. He continued to work full time for a company he really enjoyed. Loving the work makes it less of a job and more of what you do each day. The work ethic he has shown his employers, he has also passed on to the kids. They all show a great dedication to their employers and each has climbed the ladder of their professions with dignity and a proud clean work record. They didn't just bloom that way, they learned it by example.

At the end of this year, retirement number 3 is expected. I have been told repeatedly that he will work until the Christmas break and that's it. I have been hearing this for several years, but I do believe it this time. I do believe he is ready to pack it in and enjoy some time in his yard. Some travel with his bride and a lot of down time in his home. I'm happy about this decision. It's way passed time for him to relax. He has earned his retirement.

This past Friday at 10 minutes to 4 a.m., his phone rang. He was needed in Jackson for an emergency pole down. He was out the door by 4:10 a.m. Jackson is nearly an hour and half from here. I will not list all the details, but he didn't return home until Saturday at 11:30 a.m.  Yep, 31 and a half hours later he came home. He then ate a quick sandwich, mowed his 3 acres, took a shower and we went to the car show in our hometown.  All his choices. Then, finally, he took an hour and a half nap. Michigan football was one, so he got up to watch that.

I tell that little tale because you need to know he isn't human. He isn't normal. What he is, is extraordinary and dedicated. What he is, is a little more than most of the other men I know. A little more stubborn, a little more dedicated to doing what's right. He's a lot more than that, but his employers know this is who he is.



We have been married 31 years in March, if we make it through the first 3 months of retirement, that is. I have watched him lose 2 of his daughters through no fault of his own. They chose to disassociate and he had to accept that. Their children are missing the best Grampa ever. I have watched him fall in love with each and every one of the rest of his grandchildren as they came along and each of them love him right back. This big bear of a man is putty in any of their hands. We share 9 granddaughters and 1 grandson. We have the most awesome children-in-laws and wouldn't trade one of them. That blessing is because the boys all learned how to treat a woman from him, I think. I don't live with the boys, of course, so I don't really know how they treat their wives when they are alone, but I do know they never saw this man treat his wife with anything but love and respect. Our daughter learned what is expected of a man and bless her heart, she found one finally who just might be a mini-Mike. Mike does enjoy teasing me about a buttload of things, I can deal with that and he does make me laugh. I may or may not do a little teasing myself.

So Happy Birthday to my Baby and here's to many more~ right by my side. And know that when I count my blessings, my winning pick in the husband lottery is always near the top of my list.

Jo


25 comments:

  1. Good people, both of you.

    Hope tomorrow is a great day!

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    1. The phone has been turned off! No Call OUTS. Thank you so much. He really is a good man.

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  2. Good people, both of you.

    Hope tomorrow is a great day!

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  3. awesome tribute to mike, jo... happy birthday to him, and also a high five for being a dedicated human being, in all aspects of his life...

    great photo...handsome couple!

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    1. I will pass that on to him...and you're right in all aspects of his life, except picking up after himself! lol

      Thanks, I like that photo, it was a few years ago, but I like it. ♥

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  4. Happy birthday to your hubby, and congratulations on his upcoming retirement. Just remember, some people NEED to work, and the trick is to find work for them that's a little easier than what they've been doing instead of expecting them to quit altogether. : - )

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    1. I have suggested this to him many times. I'm thinking seriously about putting him to work baking this wonderful coffee cake that he makes every Christmas. I just saw the exact cake in a catalog for 27.95 plus shipping. We could make them to order for half of that and still make money! They are delish!

      He doesn't want a job, but I agree he will need something to do in the winter months for sure.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Mike!! What a tribute you have written, Jo. Long marriage isn't easy, but there is something profound in it, isn't there?

    I hope retirement is a beautiful thing for both of you. I know it is gauche to say this, but neither of you look your age.

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    1. Well, that pic is three years old, I think, but he doesn't look his age at all. I pretty much do and I'm okay with that.

      thank you for the well wishes and I will pass them on to him.

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  6. Wonderful tribute. My husband is an Accordionist. No tributes there! Lol mollyc

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    1. LOL Molly, I feel certain there is something wonderful there...behind that accordion.



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  7. This is so touching, Jo. I'm sure you've made Mike's day already with this post, but I do hope you both have a great together!

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    1. He hasn't seen it yet...he finally went to bed. It'll be here for him tomorrow with all the nice comments. I hope he likes it.

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  8. All I can say is that you are sooooo lucky! Happy birthday Mike!

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    1. I know and I appreciate him, almost every day. :-)

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  9. There are few blessings sweeter than spending your life with someone wonderful, and I think both of you can claim that one.

    Happy birthday, Mike!

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    1. How sweet! Thank you, Beth. That is just so freakin' nice! ♥

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  10. Lovely picture, Jo, of a lovely couple. Mike sounds like a great guy, and I'm glad you two found each other. I hope that he can finally be able to relax and enjoy life, although enjoying your work is a blessing, too. But it's time he gave YOU (and your kids and grandchildren) all his attention! Congratulations to Mike, who certainly does not look 74 (or even 71, if this was three years ago).

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    1. He has never looked his age. He is counting down the days to retirement now. Told me today he has 67 working days left. :-)

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  11. What a lovely post Jo. I am so glad that you found such a wonderful man and the happiness you deserved. (I'm also glad you didn't run over him all those years ago! hehe) Once he retires you both will be able to enjoy life. And for the record, I like that picture too! Please wish Mike a very happy birthday! Love to you both!

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    1. LOL...I'm glad, too Kat! I passed your wishes on to him. And he read this early this morning and just looked at me and said, "There's some lies in there, me thinks." I said, "Not intentionally. I believe it's all true." He said, "Really?" He's so cute. Yep, really! :-)

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  12. Such Love. I can only wish for the awesome long marriage you have. Happy B-day Mike from another Michigander!

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    1. LOL..It was a good day. He did exactly what he wanted and nothing more. He's still catching up on his missed sleep, but he's been very happy all day. saw a couple grandkids, heard from via phone all the others and my mom came for dinner with us. Very nice day for him and of course, for me, too.
      I wish you many good years, enough tears to appreciate each other's strengths and the wisdom to know what you have in each other.

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  13. Sounds like you like this guy...I'm happy for both of you Doil

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    1. He's okay! LOL I really do like him and oddly, he seems to like me, go figure! Thanks, Doil.

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