Change is going to happen, like it or not. It is the ever constant, and even though in the moment it might not feel like anything is changing, it is. Almost 27 years ago I raised my hand and made a commitment to myself, my Airmen, my family and my country, and now, it seems like in a heartbeat, it’s over.
This week I passed the Commander’s flag to my replacement ending my last formal job in the military. The next day I had my formal retirement ceremony that was the official send off. While all this is happening, I am still operating in a fog, fighting the disbelief that it is really over. I see the years on paper, I remember the jobs and people and many of the big projects and tasks. The packing of the houses and anxiety over the next place to live, the traumatic stress type symptoms when I hear all the movers tape guns wrapping boxes and furniture. Has it really been 27 years? It has so it’s time to reflect.
I have been the recipient of exceptional privilege during my time in the Air Force. To have a career that I’ve loved, that forced me on many occasions to change. I am better for those changes even though they were hard. Everyday I’ve had the gift of working with amazing people that love to serve and aren’t afraid of hard work and sacrifice. Everyday I’ve been a husband and father amongst people that respected what I was trying to accomplish and loved me despite my many faults. Everyday there were challenges that pushed me to think and grow and try harder, thus causing change.
As I spend a bit of time coming to acceptance of having reached this milestone and getting my footing to begin the next chapter my goal is to hang out with the uncomfortable emotions that I’m experiencing and let them lead me into the future. Although I’m closing this book because I’ve reached the end, there is another with fresh, white, clean and crisp paper waiting for me to put me pick up my pen and start writing.
This change is going to be good!