This past Sunday I attended a retirement party of a former boss. As expected, it was a trip down memory lane. I saw many faces I hadn’t seen in more than 6 years. We talked about the old days, asked about how our families were faring, and wished each other good wishes. It was good to see old friends, as I never had a chance to bring good tidings to all of my colleagues and former supervisors when many of us moved on to new employment venues.
As this nostalgic event was taking place I wondered, “Am I expressing the appropriate sentiments?” After all, what do you say to the boss who gave a young adult a chance at supervision more than 12 years ago? What do you say to the supervisor who gave you the push to pursue more ambitious projects? What do you say to the supervisor who believed in you?
In the end, I said the following. “Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for everything. Words alone cannot express my gratitude.” Now I understood, what Bruce Springsteen was trying to say when he sung Bobby Jean. Through the course of our life, we all meet and become good friends with Bobby Jean. Sometimes Bobby Jean is a caring supervisor, sometimes Bobby is your mentor, and sometimes Bobby is a great friend. However, regardless of the context we miss Bobby Jean’s friendship. So in closing, I share the following…
Well I came by your house the other day, your mother said you went away
She said there was nothing that I could have done
There was nothing nobody could say
Me and you we've known each other ever since we were sixteen
I wished I would have known I wished I could have called you
Just to say goodbye bobby jean
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