Margaret woke up earlier than usual on Friday morning. Today was her last day at the hospital where she had worked for thirty-five years. She sat on the edge of her bed and looked at the uniform hanging on the closet door. She would wear it one last time today. Margaret had started as a young nurse when she was only twenty-three years old. Over the years, she had cared for thousands of patients. She remembered the first baby she had helped deliver. That little girl was now a doctor herself, working in the same hospital. Margaret smiled at the thought and got dressed slowly. Her husband David was already in the kitchen making coffee. 'Are you nervous about today?' he asked when she entered the room. 'A little bit,' Margaret admitted, sitting down at the table. 'I have worked there my entire adult life.' David handed her a cup of coffee and squeezed her shoulder gently. 'You have touched so many lives,' he said quietly. Margaret drove to the hospital for the last time. The same route she had taken thousands of times felt different today. She noticed the old oak tree near the parking lot that she had watched grow over the decades. When she walked through the entrance, the security guard smiled broadly. 'Happy retirement, Margaret!' he said warmly. She thanked him and continued to her department on the third floor. The elevator doors opened and several colleagues were waiting to greet her. 'Surprise!' they shouted together, holding balloons and flowers. Margaret felt tears forming in her eyes. She had not expected such a warm welcome on her final day. Her supervisor Sarah hugged her tightly. 'We have a whole day of celebrations planned for you,' Sarah announced. But first, Margaret had a few final patients to check on. She walked into Room 302 where elderly Mr. Thompson was recovering from surgery. 'Good morning, how are you feeling today?' she asked with her usual gentle voice. Mr. Thompson held her hand weakly. 'I heard it is your last day,' he said softly. 'The hospital will not be the same without you.' Margaret patted his hand reassuringly. 'You are in excellent hands with the young nurses here,' she told him. She checked his vital signs and made notes in his chart. Everything looked good, and he would be discharged soon. Margaret continued her rounds, visiting each patient with the same care she always had. Around noon, Sarah gathered everyone in the conference room. A large cake with 'Happy Retirement Margaret' was placed on the table. Doctors, nurses, and staff members filled the room. Some of them Margaret had trained herself when they were beginners. Sarah stood at the front of the room and raised her glass. 'I would like to say a few words about our beloved colleague,' she began. 'Margaret has been the heart of this department for three and a half decades.' Everyone clapped and cheered. Sarah continued with stories about Margaret's dedication and kindness over the years. Then Dr. Chen, the hospital director, stepped forward with a plaque. 'This plaque will be hung in the main corridor,' he announced. 'It reads: In honor of Margaret Wilson, who dedicated her life to caring for others.' Margaret could no longer hold back her tears. She stood up and hugged Dr. Chen gratefully. 'I do not know what to say,' she admitted, wiping her eyes. 'This hospital has been my second home for so many years.' After the speeches, everyone enjoyed cake and shared memories. A young nurse named Emma approached Margaret shyly. 'I wanted to thank you personally,' Emma said nervously. 'When I started here last year, I was so scared and uncertain.' 'You took me under your wing and taught me everything.' Margaret smiled warmly at the young woman. 'You have the gift of compassion, Emma,' she said softly. 'That is something that cannot be taught from books.' In the afternoon, Margaret returned to the ward to say goodbye to more patients. A woman in Room 310 grabbed her arm as she was leaving. 'Wait, are you the nurse who helped deliver my son thirty years ago?' she asked. Margaret looked at the woman's face carefully. 'Mrs. Rodriguez!' she exclaimed, suddenly remembering. 'Your son was born during that terrible snowstorm!' Mrs. Rodriguez nodded with tears in her eyes. 'You kept me calm when I was so frightened,' she said. 'My son is now a firefighter, saving lives just like you did.' These moments reminded Margaret why she had chosen this profession. At five o'clock, Sarah found Margaret sitting alone in the break room. 'It is almost time,' Sarah said gently, sitting next to her. Margaret nodded slowly, looking around the familiar room. 'I remember when this room was much smaller,' she said with a small laugh. Together they walked to the main entrance where David was waiting with flowers. The security guard and several other staff members had gathered to say goodbye. Margaret hugged each person, trying to remember every face. 'Are you ready to go home?' David asked, taking her hand. Margaret took one last look at the building she had known for so long. The windows glowed warmly in the evening light. 'Yes,' she said finally, 'I am ready.' On the drive home, Margaret was quiet for a long time. David did not pressure her to talk, knowing she needed time to process. When they arrived home, their daughter and grandchildren were waiting on the porch. 'Grandma!' the children shouted, running toward her with open arms. Margaret bent down and hugged them tightly. In that moment, she realized that retirement was not an ending. It was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Her daughter Lisa had prepared a special dinner for the family. The dining table was decorated with candles and fresh flowers. 'We are so proud of you, Mom,' Lisa said during dinner. 'You have helped so many people throughout your career.' Margaret looked around the table at her family. Her heart was full of love and gratitude. 'I may have retired from my job,' she said thoughtfully. 'But I will never retire from being a grandmother.' The grandchildren laughed and hugged her again. Margaret knew that the best years of her life were still ahead of her.
English Story (B1)Retirement Day
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Margaret, a dedicated nurse, experiences her last day at the hospital after thirty-five years of service. She receives heartfelt goodbyes from colleagues and patients, including a plaque honoring her career. At home, surrounded by family, she realizes retirement is not an ending but the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
How long had Margaret worked at the hospital?
2
Who was waiting at the elevator to greet Margaret with a surprise?
3
What did Dr. Chen present to Margaret at the party?
4
What did the young nurse Emma thank Margaret for?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
