Retired

Ms. Teresa is a former co-worker who retired a few years ago. After putting in 30 years of service, she decided to leave her office mail cart and call it quits. Every so often I still see her because she visits old friends who are still grinding away at the job. 

I worked with her for a few years and got to know her. I affectionately called her "Ms. T." She was one of the kindest ladies I have ever known. She didn’t curse, drink, or smoke. 

She grew up in the civil rights days when African-Americans and women weren’t afforded decent jobs with a retirement plan or health insurance. As an African-American child growing up in the 50s, she didn’t have the same rights as a Caucasian. So when she began working for the government, she viewed it more as an opportunity than a job. 

When Ms. T was a youth, young people started working after graduation. People could still get jobs without college and keep them until retirement, and that’s what Ms. T did. Although her position didn’t pay well, she loved her work. 

For 30 years, she lived in the same tiny apartment and never bought a home. She had also outlived two husbands. And she has never held a driver’s license or owned a car. Since she lived within Cincinnati's city limits, she used city transportation.

She maintained her same position for 30 years and never applied for any promotions. She never called in sick or missed work. Unless they were dead, they went to work. Most likely, your parents or grandparents may have had the same work ethic as Ms. T. A few months before her retirement, she stepped off a city bus and missed the bottom step. 

Although her face was bandaged like a mummy and she had a black eye, she only missed a few days of work. I asked her why she didn’t take off two months and then retire. She said she was more concerned about her co-workers having to do her job while she was out. I told her she should be more concerned about herself and not worry about her co-workers.

But she wouldn't hear it. 

Before she left, management presented her with a large picture book about Ohio. After many years of service, she left with memories of her career and a book about Ohio. 

God Bless you Ms. T.