Comeback of a pensioner

Franz Kellner

by Franz Kellner

Story
Vienna / Austria 2021

It’s been more than a month since I wrote my last story. In order to protect my possibly good image, of course I thought about a good excuse I didn’t want to appear as a lazybones in the wrong light. Ha ha ha, that’s one of my dry jokes again. They at least help me sometimes, so I don’t get depressed. Singing helps me too – even got accepted in a gospel choir for a couple of years.

Now back to 2021. Since my official retirement in September 2020, I still maintain close contact with my former colleagues from the finance department. After phone calls with two colleagues in March and April, I realized that, as it was often the case, the situation was quite stressful. I offered to help on a small basis. Months passed and I heard no news. Except that the finance manager informed me that he had not forgotten the farewell party planed in 2020 – which had been postponed due to Corona – and that he wanted to catch up in September 2021. I found that really nice.
But I thought “the issue with temporary help has been settled”. I was wrong. Late in the afternoon, on August 21, 2021, he called, not to say congratulations on my 66th birthday. Would have been surprised too, if he had remembered that.

Unfortunately, the reason was that one of the above-mentioned colleagues had a “burnout” and had to take a break for at least 6 weeks. After a short discussion on the phone, I was persuaded to help out for 3 months, from September to November, 20 hours a week. At least I was happy that I could help and noticed that my colleagues were also very happy. Also confirmed my conviction that joy through honest giving and receiving is part of the meaning of our lives.

I just couldn’t understand and didn’t accept – but kept those thoughts to myself – why people always wait until the last moment instead of avoiding damage in advance. Unfortunately, I always have the feeling that profit in business is more important than people’s well-being. Marlene Dietrich might ask: “When will we ever understand…?” It’s an interesting mix of stress in the office/home office and relaxation as a pensioner. It made me a little more tired than usual. Some people think I won’t get bored that way. But this danger does not exist at all. I have family, friends, hobbies, StoryOne… At least I took the time to enjoy and “like” some stories.

So I survived the beautiful September well. On October 4th, World Animal Day to commemorate Francis of Assisi, I met my burnout colleague in the office again. According to our estimation he could need a longer break and I hope I can help him as much as possible. Provisional end of the comeback of a pensioner.

Photo: Pensioner with supportive wife.


© Franz Kellner 2023-08-04

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