The "Package"

My husband is very jealous of my brother who just was offered a long-waited for "Package" - the sheaf of papers that spells out what bennies you will get upon severance. When you get close to 60, the thought of a PACKAGE is a matter of dreams, with golden glows and sparkles in the background. My husband's older brother retired early so the jealousy thing isn't news around here. The thought of never having to get up to go to work, no more meetings, office politics, etc. is a happy one indeed. I, on the other hand, slipped past the age of retirement with little fanfare. I am not good at recliner living. And that is why I spend so much time volunteering at the local charity thrift store. It started as an 8 hour deal and has progressed to 4 days a week . As with any volunteer organization, there is more work than there are volunteers to do it. My dubious title - head of the Linens Department - means that for my shifts I hang heavy comforters, blankets, sheets, etc and price everything from fabric, zippers, patterns, towels and pillows - to curtains, hardware, yarn - well, you get the drift. You don't "retire" from the thrift store - or get a "Package". You just fall into your canvas cart clutching your pricing gun! So I will live vicariously when my husband finally gets His Package!