“TIME flies fast when you're having fun.” That’s the message I received from a recent retiree, and I wholeheartedly agree.

In recent months—more like the past two years—despedidas have become a dime a dozen. I don’t know if I should be happy or otherwise. It’s bittersweet—that feeling of saying goodbye and hello simultaneously. We find ourselves at a threshold—surrounded by familiar faces that played significant roles in our shared story of achievements and challenges.

Inspired by Kim, a former colleague and seatmate, I’m writing this article to share stories of meeting old friends and taking off from where we left. We reminisce about a time when hitting targets felt effortless. Getting Documents In Order (DIO) was as easy as kicking the other’s foot. DlO, by the way, is a much-coveted clearance in the loan industry.

During these times, you realize your former colleagues have never aged. Am I the only one who looked older? No, don’t ever tell me I did not. Mirrors never lie. Mirrors, plural? Yes, because I checked all the available mirrors.

Despedidas are also a gathering of friends where you all relive funny stories and wholesome pranks. It may even go as far as revelations of sorts. Yes, a revelation. At a recent retirement party, I heard an amusing tale: a former colleague once asked another, “Care for a drink?”

Retirement is like a two-sided coin. It is both a freedom and a choice.

Freedom! I can almost hear Mel Gibson’s shout. Retirement liberates you from repeatedly snoozing that alarm, the freedom to travel less the worries of the truckload of work that awaits, and the freedom from continually checking your mobile phone for the awaited approval. Some might say we can always turn it off, but passionate as we are, it’s already innate.

It’s also a choice. Retirement provides you with a canvas to draw your life. You can freely choose the colors, the strokes, or the patterns. You become the artist of your life.

When the golden sun has set on the horizon, you ask yourself, “Do we need someone to retire just to gather?” We don't need an excuse to gather. All we need is a drink and food, and we’re all set to raise our glasses to a journey well-traveled.

Retirement is not an end. It’s the beginning of a new chapter, a braver and bolder you.

*Despedida refers to farewell gatherings or parties in Spanish.