This has been a good day.
I didn’t think it was going to be a good day.
I was scared.
I thought I might throw up.
I couldn’t concentrate.
I watched the clock.
One o’clock came.
There I was, standing next to my husband.
They read a letter.
They presented a certificate and a pin.
They honored 41 1/2 years of government service.
He retired.
What will that mean for us?
pelicansandprose 
I love the short choppy sentences as a way to express this special moment. It really gave me a sense of tension and nervousness you must have been feeling. 41 1/2 years of government service is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations on his retirement!
Congratulations on quite an achievement! This is certainly a time of change and adjustment. Love how you wrote this!
Oh wow! 41 1/2 years. I like how your structured your poem.
Woo-Hoo! How absolutely wonderful for you and your husband! It will mean finding new ways to be together, new ways to define your roles and your life. How wonderful you get to discover each other as retirees since I am assuming you knew each other as young ones so long ago.
P.S. Thank you to your husband for his years of service to our government. It was not always an easy job, I’m sure.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope we can navigate the open waters ahead!
Wow! Powerful that you felt like throwing up with anxiety on what many see as a happy occasion. But I get it- I also am concerned about when my husband retires. We’ll see.
Thank you for “getting it.” I thought I might be weird! There’s just a lot of unknowns – plus it came up suddenly (two weeks notice!)
Wow! Your short sentences created such tension. I am so happy for his service and recognition but I get it. Now what? It reminds me of the line from my friend’s prayer:
This day is full of mystery and of the unknown; help me to face it without fear or anxiety.
Yet much easier to say Be not afraid then to actually feel it because we are human.
But the unknown CAN be exciting!!
So glad we are writing and that you found my Anne writing too!!
Congratulations to your husband! Wishing you both well on this new adventure!
I loved how your poem had me in suspense for what was to come and then it was not what I was expecting. Congratulations to your new wonderful phase in life. Transitions.