我的退休发言

我工作的地方有人退休时会有个爬梯，退休者要即席发言。多次去过别人的退休爬梯，后来有一天，轮到我了。

In 19xx, my wife saw this ad in a paper about an employment examination.  She said to me: "You've always been boasting about how good you are at taking exams.  Well, here is your chance to prove yourself."  I took the dare and got hired.

I was a full-time third-year day student in law school when I was hired for a full time position with this Office.  Our main client was still accepting transfer cases in those days and people in this department all had heavy workloads.  When it was our office's day in court, judges literally had to skip lunches so all our cases could be heard.  I don't know how this Office figured I would be able to handle two full-time occupations.  Anyway I am extremely grateful that the Office took a chance on me.

I came in February of 19xx.  XXX took me under her wing and taught me about our line of work from scratch.  That same year, my son was born.  I remember the baby shower the office threw me and still have the neat little car seat I received as a gift.  My favorite picture of my son shows him sitting in that car seat, with Russel, our dog, sniffing at his chubby little feet.  

XXX, a professor from the University of Pittsburgh, went to China in 1978 as a Fulbright Scholar and taught English in Beijing.  One day, he came into our classroom and said: "Time flies".  He explained that the expression was a pun, which was either an order for someone to measure the speed of a fly or a description of the fleeting nature of life.  By now, my son has been through elementary school, middle school and college, and is a grownup on his own out there in California.  I graduated from law school, became a lawyer and am now about to retire.  How time really flies.

Enough about history; this is what I want to say to you, with whom I've had the pleasure of working over these past xx years: what a true honor and privilege it has been to be in your company and to witness firsthand the skill and dedication you bring to your work each and every day.  I am grateful for the help, support and friendship you've offered me over the years, and the unreserved trust you've shown me, allowing me the opportunity to handle so many important cases, argue before our appellate and  high courts and promoting me to the highest rank within the Office.  Mine has truly been a rewarding and fulfilling career thanks to you.  

Now, as I move on to this new stage of my life I look forward to spending my coming years enjoying the company of my wonderful wife and our family.  But rest assured, I will always cherish fond memories of all of you, remembering the good times we shared, and pray for your continued good health, happiness and success in everything you do.