Sealed envelope says "For Nancy -To be opened on the day of her retirement"

February 14, 2009

Dear Nancy:
I shall finally be retiring in a few more days! Seems like only yesterday that I started with the Reading Railroad. Then again, some days lately it seems as though I were born here at corporate headquarters!

So the spotlight will be on me for the week and certainly at Friday's "Goodbye
Gathering" as the insert in everyone's box called it. And yet, this only caused me to think of all the great people I have had the opportunity to work with and the challenges that they will face over the next couple of decades. Far greater even than the obstacles I was asked to deal with since I started in 1978, I am quite certain!

And I also had the thought that in time the fresher faces in our office would be looking at the exact same exit process that I am now approaching. My same bitter sweet feelings will soon enough be your own experience.

Hopefully, you will feel the same joy of accomplishment that I now am embracing, but whether I am there in that future crowd to applaud loudly at your final address or not, I didn't want mere circumstance to keep me from saying to that future Nancy what I think about you right now in 2009. So here goes.

I believe the Reading Railroad is most fortunate to have acquired such a great person as you and if I never took the many times I thought so to tell you this, then that must simply accrue to my own discredit. Your attitude towards your employer, your fellow workers, and to the integrity of the job itself has always been a source of tremendous pride for me (having had a small part in your coming on board with the company). And although I cannot be sure you will retire with the Reading or what that future situation will look like, I am absolutely certain that your "on the job" character will never be anything other than an sterling example to those around you of what real dedication and perseverance looks like.

So Nancy, I know it seems odd to be receiving a letter from the past on the occasion of your retirement, but it feels good for me to be able to write and confirm that even "way back when" I had no doubts at all about your ultimate success in management with this organization. I know what you are capable of and whether I am there to say so in person doesn't change my strong conviction of your value and potential success in the slightest.

All the best in your own new life. Enjoy your retirement and the fruits of a "job well done."

- Denise

www.daviddouglasford.com