Turning a new page in the life of a Fox

[SilverFox]

Ok about a week or so ago I posted in the thoughts and prayers thread about something that I was working on for me and my family. For those that know me on here you will know that I am pretty open about the trials and tribulations of my life over the past year or so. Today marked a culmination of a bunch of things and will bring what I hope is peace and harmony to my and my family's lives.

About 18 months ago I resigned from my career of over 7 years. I had reached the pinnacle of my career as a Chief Financial Officer and decided that it was time to move on. (Insert midlife crisis here) well 2 jobs later I landed what I thought was going to be the perfect blend of passion and work life balance. This was to be the role that allowed me to help out at home better with the children and all things so that my wife could focus on attaining a partnership after 13 years of supporting my growth as a professional. As life is known to do it did not adhere to my plans, the role was intensive, grueling, stressful, and is a 60+ hour a week commitment. Over the past few months my wife and I have been working on a plan to change all that. Today marked the point in time. I drew up my resignation today.

But here is the kicker, I am not going to work anywhere else.

Nope, I am going on long term sabbatical, I am going to stay home and take care of my three wonderful children and support my wife in her goals to obtain a partnership. I am both excited and nervous, I have worked flat out with my foot to the floor for 13 years it is what I know. That and there is several millennium of social programming ingrained in me to be the provider, but I am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity and I am committed to making the best of it for everyone including me.

I consider myself fortunate to be able to even consider this, it should be great for me, the kids and my wife. (Might even be time for a cigar or two)

So in essence...............The SilverFox is retiring at the ripe old age of 41.

Wish me luck.

And thanks to all of you for your support over the last 18 months. I am sure I will need as much of it or more in the coming months. This place is my fortress of solitude, there are amazing people here.

Shawn

[jonharky]

Good luck Shawn!!

[loki]

that's great shawn, if you can afford to do it I say go for it.

[Footbag]

Congrats! More time for a cigar or two... or even three!:ss

Enjoy your retirement!

[s15driftking]

Good for you, take some time and smell the roses!

I's funny, I've been out of school for just over a year and a half. I'm hungry, aggressive, motivated, and able. I wonder where my "work life" priorities will be in 13 years. I hope i am as happy as you are.

Congrats on all your success and your well-deserved break!

[Hardcz]

Completely awesome Shawn! Enjoy the time with your wife and kids.

[Cyanide]

Its a big change, make the best of it....When I did it breifly I found I could have the whole house cleaned, supper lined up (almost on "autopilot") and was free to do whatever by 8:00AM. Just make sure to keep yourself busy. My problem was that I could not think of anything to do after 10:00AM ;)

Cheers

Cy

Oh, and congrats!

[Old Sailor]

Awesome Shawn, good for you!!:salute::salute:

[Cyanide]

I just realized something....

Now you can start rolling cigars as a hobby! Though, it might be hard to get the true Cuban Leaf that I presume would be the only thing you would be willing to use.

[Bruzee]

Congrats bro, and best of luck! :tu I too would stay home with the kids if we could afford to do so!

[s15driftking]

I just realized something....

Now you can start rolling cigars as a hobby! .


that is one cool idea!

[CBI_2]

WOW! That is fantastic. Congrats and prayers for your wife's success. I know you'll enjoy the time with the kids. :tu

[Smokin Gator]

Congrats brother... I am "retiring" at 49 in a couple of months so we can experiment together.

[floydp]

Congrats Shawn. I sure hope it works out for you brother.

[pnoon]

Congratulations, Shawn. I'm very happy for you. (And a tad bit jealous. ;))

To be able to retire at 41 and spend quality time with your children is truly a blessing.
I wish you all the best.

[hotreds]

God Bless you and your family, brother! May the rest of your lives be the best of your lives!

[MedicCook]

Good luck with everything Shawn.

[MNSmoker]

Congrats Shawn! Good luck with this new role in life. :tu

[Volt]

Excellant Shawn, I hope it all works out for ya. My brother is a stay at home dad and he loves it and the wife works. He loves it. Best to you and the kids.

[DrDubzz]

that's great shawn, if you can afford to do it I say go for it.

:tpd:

sounds great, enjoy the time off, as in, stop thinking like a businessman, and ENJOY your free time. This should be a wonderful time to really cherish those close to you. Enjoy it!

:wo

[Skywalker]

Best wishes to you and your family!!!:tu

[replicant_argent]

I will say a little something for your continued happiness, and success for your family. Be happy, my friend.

[md4958]

Shawn, I wish you and your family all the best. Enjoy your retirement

[Da Klugs]

Shawn, congrats and best wishes on the life change.

Apron bombing? :D

[Starchild]

Congratulations on the retirement! I'm glad that circumstances allowed you to take this step. I hope it brings nothing but happiness for your family :tu

[DragonMan]

That is great news!! I admit I'm envious, I would love to be able to spend that kind of quality time with my kids and wife. I wish you and your family all the best!!




http://smilies.vidahost.com/games/ff/ff6/espers/bahamut.gif

[alley00p]

Congratlations on your decision and i wish you and your family all the best!

I was "retired" after 31 years at the Bell System, and at 49, I enjoyed the time with my wife and family. I hope it works out as well for you!!! :tu




:dance:

[acruce]

Good luck my friend! I hope it all works out for you and your family.:tu

[shilala]

I did the same thing when I was 35, brother. Well, kinda the same thing.
My wife didn't do anything, she just mostly b!tched at me and stuff. :)
Tomorrow I turn 42 and I'm kinda thinking about getting a job. I miss having a real job. A steady income would be something new, too.
The cool thing is that since my daughter was born 12 years ago her and I have been tied at the hip, because I've always been 100% available. She's the the most incredible human being I have ever met, and she works really hard at teaching her Dad to quit being such a dick. That relationship is the single most incredible thing that's come out of being semi-retired.
You're in for the time of your life. You're gonna love it.
If you need any pointers on how to do nothing and look really good doing it, just give me a shout. For additional inspiration, watch all the videos at oddtodd.com (http://www.oddtodd.com/cartoons.html). It's good stuff.
Go to the grocery store tomorrow and get plenty of Pringles. They're absolutely essential to being successfully semi-retired.

[cigarusmaximus]

If I read between the lines you still have mixed emotions about the whole thing. I hope you will soon consider this a blessing and a terrific accomplishment. Enjoy your family! Well done! :dance:

[Sailchaser]

Congrats Shawn, My wife has taught me that you need to live each day to the fullest,take chances and experience things today for there may be no tomorrow, enjoy and I hope we can have that smoke together this year:tu

[KidRock]

Shawn,

Congrats on being able to take your next step in life! :dance:

[LordOfWu]

I have to admit I'm a little jealous as well...but I wish you all the best, and I know that your family will love having you around a lot more. Congrats!!

:dance:

[Mugen910]

Work will always be there....sometimes hidden in disguise but none the less be there...just keep in mind that you only get one chance to raise your kids so you might as well make the best of it. :tu

[shvictor]

Congrats to your new life. Enjoy the time with your kids. Money will come and go, but spending this time with your kids is priceless.

[rrplasencia]

good luck with all your endeavors :chr

[kayaker]

Way to go Shawn. All the best to you and your family.

Does that mean you are retiring from bombing too?:r

[bobarian]

Best of luck Shawn. It's great that you have a supportive wife and the courage to make such a life altering move. It's also great that you will be able to spend more time with the kids. I hope everything works out exactly as you plan!:tu

[dabigdog]

Congrats Shawn, and good luck in your newest career ;)

[Cigargal]

Way to go, Dad!

[Don Fernando]

I wish I could do the same, you're a lucky man Shawn.

[awsmith4]

Congrats and good luck Shawn!

[icehog3]

Very cool, Shawn, I know your family will be the better for your decision. :)

[taltos]

Congratulations Shawn. I am hopeful that your decision keeps your whole family happy for a long time.

[Sailkat]

Congratulations, Shawn! That is great! What a gift to be able to spend more time with your children when they are at a young age. It is such a treasure!!

[dunng]

Congrats and good luck! :tu

[Bear]

Congrats Shawn!
We should all be so lucky as fathers to get to spend that kind of quality time with our kids.

[BroncoHorvath]

Congrats to you and your family..... Enjoy yourself and take it all in...
It will be tough for you at first, but soon after you will fit right into
the mold....

[Drat]

This isn't how mom does it!

http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/mrmom.jpg

Good luck. Trust me, caring for the kids full-time is more work than a 50+ hour per week job. Just don't cook the grill cheeses with the iron!

[DPD6030]

Congrats on the retirement and spending more time with the family Shawn. Make sure you take time to have a cigar once a day. :tu

[G G]

Shawn I congratulate you, and dang I am getting old. Some of the brothers you look up to on here are actaully younger than me. Oh well Brent (smokingator) is older than me.

[14holestogie]

Shawn, congratulations on getting the best job a father could hope for. The dividends you will get from being able to do this pale in comparison to any monetary awards you could earn doing anything else. Extremely happy this worked out for you, and a bit jealous I couldn't follow the same road many years go. :tu

[Scottw]

Enjoy Shawn, all the best!

[TripleF]

Congrats on all things brother!!! :tu

I'm happy for you! :D

[chenvt]

congrats, dude..

but everyone be careful.. a fox with free time is a dangerous fox

[Darrell]

This is great news.

Look at it this way, retire now and you're less likely to go bald like Peter. :r

[ahc4353]

Where the hell have I been! Totally missed this thread!


If this isn't a good reason to send you an Opus I don't know what is. :tu

[RevSmoke]

Wow!!! I will pray that this works for you and youre family.

God's blessings.

[SilverFox]

Wow!!! I will pray that this works for you and youre family.

God's blessings.

Thank you Todd

I appreciate it

[SilverFox]

Where the hell have I been! Totally missed this thread!


If this isn't a good reason to send you an Opus I don't know what is. :tu

You just nevermind that I don't need more smokes, just more time to smoke em

[DPD6030]

Hey I got some Opus too! Can someone say Calgary :wo

[SilverFox]

Hey I got some Opus too! Can someone say Calgary :wo

You my friend have done more than enough. You need send nothing, the thought is mucho appreciated though.

[Cigarcop]

Congrats on a tuff decision, the payoff of spending time with the family and watching your kids & wifes career grow will certainly be rewarding. :dance:

[shaggy]

good stuff shawn.....now u will have time to really enjoy urself and come visit us poor folk here in ontario

[themoneycollector]

Congrats. Best wishes for you.

[ahc4353]

Congratulations on your last day as a corporate working stiff!!!!!

Enjoy the next chapter of your life my friend!!!

Will have a nice smoke later tonight in your honor and toast you and your family's new adventure.

[taltos]

Good luck Shawn as your life enters another facet. Enjoy your family and friends.:tu

[CBI_2]

Congratulations on your last day as a corporate working stiff!!!!!

Enjoy the next chapter of your life my friend!!!

Will have a nice smoke later tonight in your honor and toast you and your family's new adventure.

Good luck Shawn as your life enters another facet. Enjoy your family and friends.:tu
Dittos! :wo

[BlackDog]

Best wishes for a new type of success in your life! :tu

[WildBlueSooner]

Best of luck to you brothers...and congratulations!

[Patron]

Best of wishes Shaun!

I went through a similar situation several years ago, only I'm a little older, and I also had a very supporting family. One thing my wife kept saying is that all things will work out for the best...and she was right.

I'm going to have a cigar for you right now :ss:ss:ss