My dad retires today. For nearly 40 years he has worked for the phone company. Technically, it’s Verizon. Before that it had been called Nynex, Bell Atlantic, New York Telephone, and I’m sure other things. But to me, it’s simply been “The Phone Company.”

He’s the guy who climbs the poles and makes housecalls to fix your phone. For 40 years. 40 years!

He sought no promotions nor new positions. He was simply happy going to work each day and providing for our family.

Life seems so simple when you look at it like that. I mean, what else is there?

Not much really. Throw in the occasional family vacation (Amish country, anyone?), a good beer with good friends, some Beatles tunes, some comic books, and it’s what he’d call a good life. I’d have to agree.

And as much as he loves to complain about the oil companies and all those CEOs with their bonuses (like a good union man should), I doubt he would change a single thing about the choices he’s made.

Some time ago, I wrote a song called “Workin’ Man,” which he inspired. Here’s the bridge:

For goin’ on thirty years
My collar’s been brown and blue
For goin’ on thirty years
I’ve paid more than my dues
For goin’ on thirty years
All I’ve said is true
For goin’ on thirty years
I’ve done it all for you

So here’s to my dad. For most of my life I’ve been asking him “How was work?”.  I won’t get to do that anymore and it makes me a little sad. But I’m so happy for him, and I’m so thankful for those 40 years.