Mom, I miss you. I really do. I just found my letter from last year. I had quickly written it but never published it. At least I wrote it! I was worried I’d forgotten entirely.

2025 flew by in a blur, totally wrapped up with my job. The GM culture is changing. They are constantly ranking and pitting employees against each other, and letting people and even whole departments go. On top of that, the way we architect our controls and software is being completely overhauled, leading to demanding deadlines. It really got in my head. I wasn’t terribly worried, but it felt unfair and unnerving to imagine GM letting me go before I hit my 85-point pension day. It didn’t help to have a boss who seemed to care more about himself than his direct reports. I was constantly stressed out.

But I made it! December 8, 2025, was my 85-point day, which means subsidized healthcare in retirement. I will officially retire April 1, 2026. I don’t think I’ll look for another job, but it sure feels crazy not making money. A part-time remote job would be nice to keep my mind sharp, but with today’s interview circus, that’s basically impossible.

I have to admit, I’m a little unsure about having zero obligations. It’s weird not having something to chase. I keep thinking about you and your ticker tape hobby as you looked for your next stock to buy. I’m planning to exercise more, play some pickleball, plan trips, actually try to cook meals for two that don’t involve cereal, and maybe watch the market a bit more. I hope I can learn to enjoy figuring out what my “ticker” will be. Thanks for setting an example to always view life with a smile and happy tune.

Love

Susie