today was a tear water tea day. today a friend defended his doctor's thesis while being retired for a year now. its was of course fantastic, wonderful, beautiful and he did it so well, but .. but what? but it is so sad to conclude thus your working life when you finished teaching and researching. of course, a true teacher and researcher never stops, and i am sure my friend will continue. but just realizing that you no longer count for a lot of people, because of your age. maybe you have grandchildren to teach, still meet with your former students and continue with your research, at home, but ... do you know the story by arnold lobel, tear water tea? here you can listen to the story: owl likes a pot of tea water tea every now and then and thinks of things that make him cry. this day, this event, this event made me sad, wanting to cry. probably i realize myself what i would have liked doing in the time that i still count. but my life also gradually passes by and my plans an