The Pope and I

In a few hours Pope Benedict will join me as the Former Leader of___________.
While there is no comparison regarding our importance and level of responsibilities the feeling of remaining  relevant might be the same. He gives up his Pope mobile, I gave up my Principal parking spot. He is no longer infallible, I never was! He was the boss of 1Billion Catholics, i was  in charge of 500 kids and 1000 parents, I feel his pain.
He'll live in Castel Gandolfo in the Roman hills until his Vatican apartment is ready, I'll continue to  live in Stamford, until we decide on our next move to NYC, a Florida gated community or assisted living, is that redundant?
He will be referred to as Pope emeritus, thanks to my Italian class I am not just a retired principal I can be known as UN PRESIDE DI SCUOLA ELEMENTARE IN PENSIONE, has a nice ring to it.

He will have to give up his Pope wardrobe just as I no longer where a sport jacket and tie. One word of advice Benedict, be careful you don't start hanging around the apartment in your papal sweets.
He'll aslos have to give up those red shoes. Here I have him beat, J still has her 5 inch candy apple red Weitzmans and when she wears them it's pretty close to a religious experience.

Pax Benedict