Casa de Tortugas - Stories

Wilson

I had worked for the Sate of Oregon at the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) for a few weeks short of 27 years by the time I retired. That is a long time to work in one place. I loved working there as a senior systems analyst creating software for many divisions within our agency. Of course I made many friends during those years. Some retired before me and it is tradition for retiring staff to get a going away lunch and a gift or two.

Because we were moving to Bocas Del Toro on a remote island, space was very limited and we left most of our belongings behind. So I had told everyone not to get me any gifts as I probably couldn't bring them with me.

They didn't listen...

When I heard that a gift was coming, I was a little worried that it would get left behind. But then I saw it and instantly realized that my friends gave a great deal of thought to this gift, and one way or another, it was coming with us to live its life on our tropical paradise.

They couldn't have known how "me" this gift was. When we have been out on boats, here in Panama, we often see coconuts floating along. And when I see a lone coconut, I will sometimes call out "Wilson!". Mostly it's only in my head but sometimes out loud. And Tina is probably getting tired of it. LOL! Naw... It is still funny. 

Once our house is complete, he will have a place of honor so we can see him every day.

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