460Kodiak
Sorry about that! I think the gun, along with the new/old grips (which I really like the look of), is already over the top as far as a retirement gift goes. If you're still set on the presentation case maybe see if some other co-workers would like to go in on it.
. I was only kidding, and thanks! It's a great idea and I think I'm going to pursue it, and yes it is an over the top gift.
Last night something fortunate happened. More story. In 2004 this man hired me as a seasonal member of a woods crew. I became close friends with two members of that crew, I still work with one of them, and the other is regularly visited by both of us often together. My two good friends both got their start as temporary employees as well with this man. All three of us got hired on permanently years ago.
My two friends went onward in different fields within my agency, but I got lucky again in 2010 and staid in my initial field. I managed to land another promotion in the same office. So at that point I went from working for him to working with him but all the while he has coached me and taught me.
A year after that promotion I was placed in a certification program that would greatly help my career overall as well as increase my productivity for my employer. It's master's level work with a final dicertatcion like project. Again, my buddy coached me through what was a very stressful and difficult process.
Last year I finished that program successfully and it represents the crowning achievement of my career so far, and should allow me to retire comfortably some day, if I'm not stupid with my money. Like I said, I have no way to adequately thank the man or pay back what I owe him.
The two friends I mentioned earlier asked me if I had gift ideas. He is a hard guy to shop for. I told them what I did and offered to let them get in on it. Since they are my closest friends, and also started out being hired by the same gent. I
thought it appropriate.
So more funds will be available even though I'll be covering a much larger portion. I think a presentation box will be in order, possibly with a name plate on it.