Some change is happening here!

 Last week something happened that Bob has been anticipating for some time.  He retired!  He will turn 65 in a few weeks and had been planning this for some time.
He isn't going to completely quit working; he'll still be going in a few days a week but won't be having to do manager duties, work Saturdays or stay late one night a week.  There will be more time to spend with family and do things around the house.
His workplace did some things to send him off nicely!

On Monday, when he wasn't expecting anything, they had a surprise party.  Here he is with a bunch of the people he worked with.

They decorated his work area.

They wanted him to wear this crown - he said he wore it for a few minutes but wasn't going to do it all day.

They planned a lunch for him.

The girls and I had been notified and invited, so we were there for a while.  Bob was showing Cassie around,

Laura, Heather, Me, Bob and Cassie

"Most of us will miss you!"

This is Chad, one of the owners, doing a little presentation with a gift thanking him.  Take note of the decorated walker!

This is something Chad wrote and put on the store facebook page about Bob retiring:

"A bitter sweet moment for us here at Allendale True Value. We are sending off our own Robert Bruins to enjoy some retirement. We just want to take a minute to acknowledge who Bob has been for us and our True Value Family for the past 24 Years.

Many hats this man has worn for us from setting our displays to serving our customers. He has always been willing to move into whatever the need was at that time (and there have been many needs over 24 years). Bob really excelled at keeping the store neat, organized and well merchandised so we have big shoes to fill here.

We are most grateful for the time that Bob spent praying for our team, our families, our customers and our community. It's quite possible I have never met a man that has been more faithful in surfacing his Bible at the lunch table and when we'd invite him in to pray at a meeting or event it was a sermon in a prayer every time. Know that if you are reading this message, you've likely been prayed for!

Robert Bruins, thank you so much for your willingness to stand strong in your faith, be courageous in your walk and look out for us along your journey. We so appreciate your time with us and are super grateful you'll be hanging around yet for a couple days a week. We all hope and pray your time away from work is fruitful, healthy and some how used by God to further His kingdom. We have no doubt you'll be used some way!

If you are in the store today, be sure to wish Bob well. He'll be leaving for a few weeks vacation and then coming back at a part time level which we're extremely grateful for."

On his last day, employees lined the main aisle and cheered him as he left.  He was touched by all the kindness.

That night, we went out for supper, to a restaurant we both like that is in an old building with great ambiance.

I'm so thankful for all his hard work for all these years, and pray that he enjoys a little more free time.  He's not one to sit around, so I know he'll be finding lots to keep him occupied!

*People keep asking if I'm retiring too.  Not yet, I'm enjoying my job and will see how things go!