It’s five o’clock somewhere

Work in Progress/By Ivan Morgan

When I decided to retire from regular employment, there was one thing I didn’t want to lose.

Like most of us, I started working when I was in my mid-teens. Like most of us I worked all my life. Like most of us, I hit 60 and thought I should slow down. I felt like giving up the rat race and trying new things. Things for me.

Some of you might be there now. Some may be looking forward to it soon. For many it’s a distant dream.

There was one thing, however, I wanted to hold on to. Since I was very young, I have loved the end of the work week – Friday evening quitting time. I lived it for decades. Now I seek it out.

Even though I have been retired for a few years, I still look forward to, and savour, the end of the regular work week. There’s a special feeling to Friday evenings. You don’t feel it up in the woods, but if you are in or around the city you do. I go out looking for it.

When I was a working stiff, knocking off on Friday was always special. I loved the walk to the car, the anticipation of a few days off. I loved feeling the pressure was off. I loved the spring in the steps of my coworkers. Cars in traffic winding home after a long week.

I used to sit in my car on Friday evening for a few minutes and just savour the week done, savour the weekend coming, savour the pending freedom.

Of course, the weekend rarely lived up to the anticipation. Life happens, things must get done, plans change, plans unravel in front of your eyes. None of that happens in those few golden minutes after work on Friday.

At that moment it is all yet to happen. The weekend is yet to happen, life is yet to happen. But in that little bit of quiet you are free, the yoke has been discarded, and the time coming up is yours.

I don’t have to live that anymore. Now I look for it. I can feel it. I see the woman at the bus stop with a Friday evening smile. I watch people walking to their cars. I see folks in traffic, laughing and listening to music as they wind their weary way home. I can feel the relief and relaxation in the air. The city’s vibe changes.

Years ago, I had the good fortune of working with a very clever and talented bunch of people. Late one summer afternoon, at the end of a hard week, I wandered into my colleague’s office to find him standing, hands in his pockets, staring out the window onto the tree-lined street. I walked up and looked out the window too. He turned to me and quietly asked “Do you see it?”

“See what?”

He was quiet for a moment, then, not taking his eyes off the view he smiled and quietly said. “That’s my vacation out there.”

Yup. I love that moment.

I especially love the Friday afternoons before a big holiday. The last day before Christmas holidays, Easter break, vacation time. I don’t get those anymore, but Friday evenings are still special to me.

Working is deep in our culture. I think meaningful work is key to most people’s mental health. Decades ago, I worked at a job where we took people off the streets and gave them employment. Gave them things to do. Taught them something called “life skills.” You could see how making them part of a work community had a beneficial effect on them, giving their lives meaning. Making them feel they were a part of something.

It’s important when you retire to stay busy, stay connected with the world. I may be retired but I am mighty busy. And one of the reasons for being busy is the pleasure in knocking off.

As for Monday mornings? I’m retired. I sleep through those.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com