On retiring

Two months ago I retired after a 17.5 year career at IBM. IBM was an amazing place to work. I took advantage of countless opportunities to learn, lead, travel and build relationships. IBM changed our family life financially, and in part, shaped The Yerkes family into what it is today. 

We gave up some family time due to my career. If I’m being honest, we gave up both quantity and quality time. The flexibility allowed me to be close to 2 dear friends as they lived and died with cancer. We saw our sons through graduations, life and career beginnings, as well as struggles and painful emotional times. I’m so grateful that I was able to join IBM and to stay as long as I did. It worked for me, for us, for a really long time. One of the things I always told people considering joining IBM was that you have to find something that makes it ‘worth it’. There’s an awful lot of politics and red tape and upheaval that go on at a giant corporation. But, if you love traveling the world like I do, iBM can provide that opportunity. If you like beginning and ending your workday 3 hours earlier than your neighbors (like I do), IBM can provide that opportunity. If you like process and hierarchy; you’ll find it. If you want to be part of technology that is changing the world, you can be in on the ground floor. 

My IBM colleagues included authors, athletes, religious leaders, photographers, animal rights activists, cancer survivors, feminists, public speakers, scientists, students, gay activists, economists, wealthy people, wealthy people drowning in debt, obese people, military leaders, faithful people and even a few scoundrels. The environment was so dynamic that I never ever got bored. Unfortunately, I worried more than I should’ve and didn’t sleep a lot. But, I took advantage of the opportunity to change roles within the company many times and made it (from my perspective) worth it for many years. And now I’ve left it. I’m done with that life. 

I’m a wife and a mom and a grandma and a dog mother! My current concerns are primarily around my husband’s health and keeping his meds and appointments and treatments straight. His emotional well being is greatly improved when I’m attentive. I love doing this stuff and can actually see positive outcomes almost every day. It’s really a joy to do jobs that strengthen this family. 

I feel spoiled with all the time at my disposal. I’ve renewed my personal Bible study time, I’ve reconnected with several old friends (not to mention new friendships), and begun seriously organizing our home. Our adult children have communicated their care for my well being and are really interested in what I do with my days. One of the things my husband said to help me make this transition was: I’m not quitting work, I’m starting a new job. I don’t know if that sounds mean to you but it actually helped me a lot. No matter what I do or don’t get paid, I’ve already found another amazing place to work.