Welcome To 2021! ~ What A Difference A Year Makes!

I will preface this by saying that I am sorry to those of you who follow and read my blog. It has been quite a few months since I have checked in. It is not to say that it stems from laziness, although I think that a lot of us can relate to that. With so little to do most days, I think it becomes even easier to do even less, as strange as that may sound.

For me, the lack of communication comes from settling into my new life and finding myself as corny as that sounds. For those who missed it, back in October of 2020, I walked away from my job as manager of Starbucks Bradford West. A job I cherished and one I was grateful to finally have. I talk about it a little more in the book I have been working on, but the "Coles Notes" version is that Starbucks was a big part of my late teens and into my mid 20's. I was talented, in leadership, but had a large chip on my shoulders and in retrospect, not fit to Captain a store because of my attitude, although I did make a great "Lieutenant". I was young, arrogant and of course my rough edges had not been smoothed out by years of therapy and self awareness education.

Fast forward to 2017. I packed up my modest Real Estate Agent business, returned to Starbucks part time to see if I still had the passion. Boy did I! and thanks to a person who turned out to be one of my favorite leaders I have ever worked for, I quickly rose to leadership by the latter part of 2018, and early in 2019 became Captain of the aforementioned store. I LOVED LOVED LOVED that store and was surrounded by so many wonderful partners who became family to me. We created a wonderful store that became a destination, and the dream of leading a great store became a reality, albeit 20 years later....

However, early in 2020, the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. I rolled with it for a while and guided my team through the first lockdown, a re-open and to top it off, was given the amazing opportunity to lead other managers in their journey! Talk about AN AWESOME RIDE and OPPORTUNITY. I loved every minute of it. Rapid growth and new challenges everyday! Not to mention being a staple and anchor for so many people in our town who were looking for a little break from what has become a somewhat static existence.

What I didn't realize at that time was that the ground under my own feet was shifting. Rapidly. I began to wonder if I wanted to be part of the Starbucks world anymore. With the first lockdown, as the schools closed, (I was optimistic they would re-open) my plans to volunteer in my son Lincoln's classroom were put on hold. He was a kindergarten student and that time is so special and I wanted to be a part of it. Unfortunately I had waited too long. We all think we can do things like that tomorrow, or the next day, but as I learned last March, for possibly the 4000th time in my life is that tomorrow is promised to no one. I had just waited too long. The rest we all know. The schools remained closed and my sons journey much like so many other students in kindergarten was cut short.

You see, my dream has always been to retire young. Ever since the purchase of my first mutual fund at age 18, I planned on leaving the workforce early.... Super Early! Now I did not plan on retiring in October of 2020, 2022-2023 was more "the plan". However, as financial independence got closer, and the regret of missing my sons time in Kindergarten swelled, not too mention missing his first fishing trip.... (that was kinda my fault) I realized that my family and children were more important than the dream of the 19 year old who donned the green apron way back when at store 4217 in downtown Toronto.

Since retiring, I have had many wonderful days, immersed in gratitude but I have had some dark ones too. Starbucks was a big part of my identity, and I took that job very personally, so I suppose it was absurd to believe I could walk away without "a hangover" of sorts... Truth be told I did try to hang on to the job and moved to a store across town, demoting myself to VERY Part-Time Barista, but it just didn't work well for me emotionally. The company was so good to accommodate such a bizarre request in terms of a demotion, but I am grateful they did. I lasted 3 months, was a little ashamed, but again, I knew it was time to hang it up. If I couldn't do the job 100% as I always did, I wouldn't do it.

It's hard to believe that we have been in this pandemic for a YEAR! I had no idea how different my life would be today, 1 year ago. I get to take my kids to school everyday (when it's open) and pick them up everyday and that is a wonderful gift. I am not rushing off, not prepping for a busy day mentally, I just get to be with them. I don't get to volunteer in their classroom, but I am available as their dad, 24/7 for whatever they need, whenever they need it and I can't put a price tag on that. Rest assured, when the world does finally re-open for good, I will be in their classrooms.... even if they don't want me there. I will be selfish again. I have earned it!

I am so grateful that I hustled for 25 + years. It was all worth it. The wins, the losses, the missed parties, getting no sleep some nights between my 2 jobs. Battling Depression, twice. I miss my staff and team, I don't think that will ever go away. It was so special to me. We see each other from time to time, but it's not the same as sharing the floor with them when the Drive-Thru is 20 cars deep, on a sunny Saturday, and we see how just how fast we can clear the line. It was like a game to me.

I remain grateful that I am retired and opportunities seem endless. My time is really mine. Things are a choice and not an obligation. I'll open my closet everyday, see my apron's, and always remember the journey.

~With Love And Gratitude,

Chris