Amazing how quickly the weeks and months go by — this is of course a nod in the direction of this blog's theme — as we approach the end of another year. In a few days I shall be attending a holiday luncheon (for thus it was announced) of various departments and units of the corporation where I used to work for more than twenty years. And, incidentally, from which I took early retirement a great many years ago.
Times change, people change, and corporations change. As do countries, philosophies, cultures, civilizations. There is a melancholy about it all that one senses at such gatherings at Christmas time. And, oh yes, this is an old line corporation where in the old days the luncheon would have been paid for from the corporate treasury and the greetings would have been "Merry Christmas", but today in keeping with the strictures of political correctness and keeping costs in check, one has to pay one's own way, and will more likely to be greeted with "Happy holidays". Ah, well, sic transit gloria mundi.
The friends I shall be meeting at the 'holiday luncheon' will be fewer and older, but they will be joined again this year by active employees, younger people who will give the gathering a smart new face. I shall be at table with several other retired persons, and perhaps one of the younger people to keep us company. We will sample our prime rib or salmon and chat about the old days, about the cruises we have taken, or the hobbies we now have time to pursue. We may ask about each other's families, children, and children's children. Politely we refrain from health and medical topics, unless it is to be about the new Medicare Part D provisions and how they may affect the coverage the corporation offers.
There will be speeches, some remembrances of departed members, a few jokes, genial applause. And then we will all go home.
No comments:
Post a Comment