I thank you all for coming To celebrate, this my retirement day And now that the speeches are all said and done I have just a few words to say.   I appreciate the kind words that you all have said And, I even enjoyed the kind-hearted roast But what I have enjoyed, tonight, most of all Is just the presence of all of you folks.   It's great to see all of you very bright students Who seem to excel in most  every way I'm have truly been honored to be able to teach you As one who could never, get into this program today.   And, I am so glad to see some of my old students Who I mentored early on, in my own career I know that it was a hassle to come, from so far away And I am humbled, to see that you are here.   It's students like you, at a time like tonight Here, in this very large crowd That make it important to say, for everyone to hear That you, have always made me proud.   And to my colleagues, I must say that I will miss you As I have enjoyed working with you, each and every one And if you thought  it was funny, when they were roasting me Just know, that your day will soon come.    And to all the staff, who have been so kind to me And who, over the years, I have been so privileged to know I will keep secret, what I have learned, as a result of my years That it's not bosses, but you, who run the show.   Now,  I  find that I must end this poem, somewhat quickly As student evaluations tell me, I sometimes go on for too long So just let me say to you all, as I leave here tonight I will remember you all fondly, long after I am gone.                                          God Bless You All!                                                                                      Jim Johnson                                                                           (3/5/2010)                             Copyright ©2002 - 2010 JamesHJohnson.com. All rights reserved