And so here it is, my last night in Korea. Lots of emotions churning inside me, but after all these years and memories perhaps that’s to be expected.
Walking home from work today I remembered something from 35 years ago. I was still living in Arizona, but I had sent my daughter and son to stay with my mom in Oklahoma while I recovered from my first divorce and a subsequent heartbreak. I had gone out there for a visit and when the time came for me to leave, my seven year old daughter said to me “Daddy, I know all about goodbye. It is spelled S-A-D”. And she was right. All these accumulated goodbyes are starting to take their toll. I know I will be fine once I’m wheels up and on my way, but damn, this is harder than I expected. The reality is that in all likelihood most of the people I know and care about here I will never see again. Well, they all have a standing invite to come visit me in paradise, but life intrudes, people move on, and soon enough I’ll be forgotten.
So, I’ve completed a circle of sorts.
One year ago I was arriving in Pyeongtaek. And now it is time to get the hell out of here.
In other news, I am now carless, as opposed to careless. The sell went smoothly and I now have an extra $500. in my wallet. It’s a good old car and I hope she serves the new owner well.
Afterwards, I treated my staff for a final lunch with the boss. We dined at Ariang, the first restaurant where we ate together after the move from Yongsan. Another circle closed.
Here’s half the crew…
….and here’s the rest of them…
I explained to the team that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The price they were paying today was hearing me hold court one last time. But it was a special occasion…
Because today I had the honor of presenting my Deputy, Donna Cole, with a Superior Civilian Service Award. In my 38 years with Uncle Sam Donna has been one of the most impressive individuals I have ever worked with. She knows her stuff and knows what to do with it. A great leader, a great person, a hard worker and fun to be around. She sure as hell made me look good and that is no small achievement!.
Speaking of my career, tomorrow is the last day of it. When I retired the first time back at the end of 2010 I wrote a long post recounting my career called “The end of the road”. If you are suffering insomnia, I can highly recommend it! Of course, it turned out it wasn’t the end of the road after all. I’m glad I took the detour though, because these past 3 years have been the best of my working life.
My daughter was going through a box of my stuff I left behind and sent me some reminders of just how long that road has been.
My daughter was laughing and said “you were always on us about our grades!” And I gave her the dad response of “do as I say, not as I do”. I clearly had some issues back in high school. Pot being one of them. I wasn’t any stupider then, just lazier. Still surprised I failed in PE, but Coach Davis was a hard ass and didn’t like my long hair. And the “C” in creative writing? Mr. Boyles was just not appreciative of my style of writing. I distinctly recall him telling me a sonnet I wrote (and actually worked hard on) was “extremely corny”. Well, everyone is a critic I suppose. I wonder what he would say about my blog? Eh, probably best not to know in my current fragile state…
For the record, I did in fact graduate from high school. Although I did have to take a couple of night courses at the local community college to make up for some of those “F’s”. Ah well, look at me today!
The daughter also sent me this old pay stub:
$2.00 dollars an hour working graveyard shift at the local convenience store. That was a big boost from the $1.35 the car wash was paying. Although after getting robbed one night I decided that my life was worth more than what they were paying….
Anyway, it all turned out well. I’ve had a great career and now it is time to see if I can’t find some success in other aspects of my life. Starting tomorrow!
You probably won’t have time to check comments on anything written tomorrow, so please let me take this opportunity to wish you safe travels and good fortune as you follow your heart to a new land and new climes. I’d say “It’s been nice knowing you,” but that implies a finality that I don’t feel. We’ll meet again at some point, I’m sure, and instead of “so long,” I’d rather just say, “Thanks for your friendship and for the wisdom you’ve imparted in person and in my blog’s comment section. Thanks, too, for the on-base supplies you’ve gotten for me over the years (ssshhh!), and for the pleasure of your company during the few chances we’ve had to chow down in Itaewon. You’re quite the Mensch, Herr McCrarey!”
Good journey, my friend. I’ll be following your updates once you’ve established your beachhead in the PI.
As from MASH, goodby, farewell, amen. However I’m sure we continue to be treated to your continuing saga. Goog luck, be carefull, be safe.
Kevin, thanks so much for the kind words. Right back at you in all respects. I think it was that long ago Easter post about letting go that first hooked me on your blog. And the rest as they say is history! I appreciate your support.
Rascal, yes the MASH farewell does ring appropriate! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more!
John, best wishes for this new chapter of your life, I too have enjoyed the life and times you depict so openly and honestly …..we can all relate and that is a secret!
I think I said once our lives have had quite distinct parallels in a number of respects, beginning well before crossing paths on the back streets of Itaewon (I arrived early 2006 and left 2013) when the ‘twon was still clinging to its real character.
The weird part is the parallels continue in that unexpectedly I have been living in PI the past 4 months on a consulting gig and tonight when you fly in I will be in terminal 1 flying out to Sydney for some home leave,,,,,,,
I felt the same when I left Korea…the prople I knew there for 12yrs. I would never see them again even my bestfriend Roda…good thing FB connects….but thinking about a new start back home for the future and for the rest of my life I got excited.
Welcome to P.I. John…where the most beautiful women are made.
Yes Greg, it does seem strange how seemingly interconnected random lives can be. Bizarre that we will be passing through NAIA in the same time frame. Safe travels to you as well and enjoy your time at home.
MJ, yes everything is beautiful in the PI, especially the women. Goodbyes are a part of life I suppose, but it doesn’t make them easier…