“I had to reconcile that my job was gone.”

Rolland lost his job after working in the banking industry for 41 years. At first, it was hard to reconcile that his job was gone. Once he started receiving job opportunities, it was not as challenging. However, it was disappointing that he did not get the reception he had anticipated with his long history in the industry. Rolland thought about retiring but because of the price of health insurance, decided that that was not the best option at that time.

He went from a large to a small bank. A long time ago he had worked in a small community bank and had enjoyed the flexibility presented by that experience. Once again he cherished the ability to be close to members of his community and hopefully provide loans that a larger bank could not. Rolland was also looking forward to going out and finding additional opportunities that now were available to him at the small bank. He was having more fun than he has had in a very long time.

Rolland has been married for 41 years and said his wife has been his lifetime partner and made the change more manageable. He has six grandchildren from his three children and was enjoying them immensely.

Rolland P. was interviewed for the ASPECTS OF CHANGE book and consented to share his experience. Many things have changed since the interview.