September - Schools are opening - time to celebrate the opportunity to just go to a local restaurant and have a leisurely brunch with retired colleagues and another chance to extend a warm welcome to our new retirees.
Such was the case as "freedom lovers" gathered in Dalhousie at Chez Rachel to take part in this Restigouche Branch Event.
Our lone waitress proved to be so good at handling us we suggested she apply for a teaching license or at the very least a local permit.
One new retiree, tingling with the sense of change, wondered what she could do on her first official day of freedom. So, her sense of fun and freedom sent her to the shopping mall. While there she took a photo of herself, with the mall clearly in the background and sent it to her colleagues on their first day of school.
Check out the tabs below.
Photo Gallery and Poem entitled To US
So here we are, retired and free,
No school bell ringing—yippee!
No getting up at half-past six,
No wondering what weather will nix.
While teachers rush to start the year,
We're drinking coffee without fear.
They're making plans and checking charts,
We're tending gardens, playing cards!
No lesson plans, no marking stacks,
No parent emails filling inbox racks.
No staff room gossip, meetings late,
No duty roster we try not to hate!
When September comes, we smile and say,
"What do I want to do today?"
While others rush to start the day,
We're still in bed—and that's okay!
We've earned the right to take our time,
To travel, relax, and feel sublime.
And if we miss those school-day years,
We'll blame it on rose-coloured tears!
For teaching was a wonderful ride,
With memories we keep tucked inside.
But now our greatest lesson learned
Is this: retirement is well-earned!
So, here's to us, the retired crew—
Still teachers through and through.
We may not know what day it is...
But we sure know when it's NOT a school day!
In addition to all the chatter and laughter, we appreciated these special touches added to the occasion: a twinkling glass of white wine (responsibly 00% alcohol); name tags decorated with fluorescent yellow outlining; a special prize of a crew neck sweatshirt to the person sitting in the lucky chair, a copy of a lovely poem about retirement, and a list of upcoming events on the back.
Hope to see even more members next year on the first day of school!!
Feature photo by Roman Odintsov
Cover Photo by Burst
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