In January 2000, I began my last semester of teaching at Northern Illinois University. I was going to retire; something I never thought I’d do. I loved my job and intended to work until I died; but here I was, preparing to leave. I had questions: How could I leave a job I had liked for 30 years? Would we actually move to Portland, OR as my wife, Mary; son, Dave; and daughter-in law, Sarah, were “planning?” Who would I be if I weren’t working? The answers became self-evident as the semester progressed. It turned out to be a very natural transition and, yes, three weeks after I retired we moved into our new house in Portland.