Today is a holiday for me.  At age 68 (two years past my full retirement age of 66), I am working full-time (actually, more than full-time with all the overtime I put in), at a job I love, and with a side interest for my professional association.  As a Planner/Buyer for an aerospace company, my job is vitally important to the smooth functioning of my company, and I never worry about becoming irrelevant or being laid off. Yes, even at my advanced age, I make a difference every single day.  There have been layoffs large and small since 2008 when I was hired, but after I survived the bloodbath at the height of the financial crisis, I think I’m pretty safe.

There used to be three people with  my job title at the company, and over the years the other two left the company, and I took on their work.  So I am literally doing the work of three people; very competently, I might add.  One of the principal values I live by is being a productive member of society.  I made a mid-life career change (from hospital pharmacy technician), and I feel like I’m just hitting my stride, with many productive years ahead of me.  I don’t feel old, and people tell me I don’t look my age <grin>.  My boss appreciates my work, which is gratifying.  And I can guarantee that my coworkers and other internal customers will miss me while I’m on vacation next week.  As of today, I have no intention of retiring any time soon.

Since 1999, I have been the Business Survey Chairman of ISM-Western Washington, the association of purchasing managers.   Putting out the Survey every month keeps my finger on the pulse of the local economy, and provides excellent economic information to the local and national press and economic community.  I get enormous satisfaction out of this work, and I intend to keep on doing it, even if I retire from full-time employment

So, on this Labor Day, give a wave and thanks to those who keep the world turning around, food on the table, and planes in the sky.