Sneaking Outta Here

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.“ ~ Winnie the Pooh

Its 2:07 in the morning and I’m restless, as I have been for the past week. I have been looking forward to this day with a mix of exhilaration for new adventure, thoughtfulness about things accomplished, and sadness about the faces and personalities I am going to miss. 

I started my working career in June of 1979 with the Penn Emblem Company. I’ve left and returned three times for different reasons over the years, but today is my last day.

For the number crunchers (I had to do it)… I’ve been employed by Penn Emblem for 32.3 years / 981 months, / 11,773 days – in 12 offices, with 9 job titles. Whew! With so much time invested here, my crazy thoughts and emotions are probably not unique. I’m awash in some great and, truthfully, not-so-great memories over 32 years entering this building. But I’m only going to dwell on the positive today.

I’m going to miss so many things… pretzel on Fridays, the meetings (not really), awesome espresso and caramel coffee (free because of me, just sayin’), the many customers and contacts over the years, working trade shows (not really, again), the holiday party, barbecues and all the other events with the great Penn team.

In these years, I have been fortunate to travel extensively for Penn to places around the world. I’ve visited 45 states, and pretty much all of our major cities. I’ve also spent time in crappy little hotels in small towns… all great experiences. Business travel can be tough, so I’ve always made sure to relish the sights and sounds of these great places. I’m smiling now about some of these memories:

• Enjoying great dinners at Gene & Georgetti‘s in Chicago
• Listening to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Bourbon Street
• Seeing Tom Jones and George Carlin in Las Vegas
• Sitting on the steps of the Sydney Opera House
• Watching the Grand Prix du Montreal
• Witnessing the power of nature, sitting on the beach at the Banzai Pipeline surf competition
• Feeling reverent awe, standing on the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor

These places and these experiences happened for me for one reason… Penn Emblem. And I am forever grateful.

The people at Penn Emblem – my friends – have shaped me. While our most important life experiences are spent with family, we spend more waking hours at our jobs. Sad, but true. So the people we work with are vital to our development. Most pass quickly through, with no effect. Some are with you longer, making indelible marks. And some are, and will always be, friends for life.

I can’t thank everyone, but some quick mentions are below. Apologies in advance for some of the quirkiness and inside jokes. No explanation will be forthcoming!

Thanks so much to the ownership of Penn Emblem – the Blumenthal family. From my beginning with Ted and Robert, to the future with Stephen and Tyler. Over the years they have provided a home and security for me and my family. You are many, but special thanks to two:

To Randi, for your passion, for challenging me, for some loud arguments, for about 2.5 million emails (I’m estimating), and for giving me the freedom to grow. In many ways, you are the reason I’m beginning this new journey, and I thank you.

To Jon… for the many cocktails and serious saving-the-company conversations, for the first class upgrades, for many, many golf shots and the one hot dog that put me in the hospital, for many “working” lunches, for your raucous laugh and the joy you exude, and for your guidance and example as one of the best Dads – and Grandfather – I know.

Back to the road… great travels and conversations with Mike,  and my 9/11 partner, Tom. To the real road warriors and “lounge-o-liers”, Keane, David and Bob.

Some of these friends are no longer with us, but certainly deserve mention: To JP, much love from Mantis. To the larger-than-life Burly Mon, my travel buddy. And to Mike, who’s cynicism and indescribable humor inspires me to this day.

Very special thanks to Lynne… we’ve shared some frustrating days like any other job. But your friendship, conversation, laugh, quirkiness, Lynne-isms made my day, every day. You may not know this but I tell everyone… you are the nicest person I have ever known.

And finally, to the Big Four – Rich, Debbie, Janine and Alisa. So many years together, so much laughter, some tears, so many knowing looks and raised eyebrows, and many stories to share (some we probably shouldn’t…). You four were, and will continue to be, my rocks.

Obviously I could list many more Penn peeps. Please know that all of you will forever be in my heart.

I’ve been crying while writing this, and I’m sure I will be doing that all day. My happiness is knowing that it will never be goodbye to any of you. So I’m going to take some sage advice from a very smart friend, and just sneak out at some point this afternoon. I will be counting on many phone calls and texts, lunches and drinks, posts and tweets. I love you all very much.

CMA, and don’t tell skinny.