A recap of the email I sent to my friends and posted as a note on Facebook.
When my boss from Salt Lake City called me at 6:40AM and I saw that she was calling from a phone in my office I knew what was coming. But it was a total shock! The boss covered me on all of the official severance package stuff and I requested my pension package. Its official my work email is shut off and I changed my voice mail greeting to say I was retired. I just realized my “life” was on my Qwest Outlook calendar. But I guess that doesn’t matter now that I don’t have to consider work when making appointments.
Remember about 18 months ago all of the managers in my organization where asked for a show of hands as to who wanted to volunteer for a severance package. It took me three long weeks to decide to say yes only to not get the offer. I was ready then, it was on my own time and it felt right. When that offer didn’t happen I was OK with it and decided I would work for several more years before retiring. So today when it happened I wasn’t in that frame of mind and I was really not ready to hear this news. Let’s just say that I was in the wrong place at the right time.
For the first time in 33 years it looks like I am going to have a real summer vacation. I am not going to jump into anything. I need to figure out what I am going to do and take it day by day for now.
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Jackieinpdx's Blog 
I honestly don’t know what to say. Some people posted on your FB note (in essence) that it’s not a horrible thing, and I’m inclined to side with them, but I can’t imagine the shock, especially after 33 years. I hope your okay and I’d love to know how you’re doing (it’s so personal, I don’t expect every thought to be on FB or even here) as you figure out the next chapter. You seem to have a positive outlook – that’s the best thing to have.
Joyce,
Although I wouldn’t say that my job defined who I was it was a big part of my life for 33 years. My work “family” helped me get through many tough times. One of my best friends is someone I met at work 30 years ago. She was the first one I called (well after Tara) to tell her what happened. Unlike me getting this shock she begged to get a severance package last year. She doesn’t regret it for a minute. She has her mother living with the family and she gets paid a small stipend from her mother’s estate for being her caregiver.
So sorry –had a similar thing happen to me at Christmas time last year…after 24 years was told I wasn’t needed anymore–no severance either! Has worked out for the better in my opinion–and only 1 more month til SS!
I am only 55 and really thought that I would work for a few more years. I will figure things out and take it from there.