I am retiring on December 31st but many of my coworkers say I am leaving the company in disgrace!

UPDATED at 6 PM December 31st. I am now retired and will get my pension starting next week. (Social Security starting in February)

I survived the day without being fired. No one talked to me the whole day. I cried on my way home. For 18 of the 20 years at my employer, I had lots of friendly work friends and was highly regarded. At 5:01 p.m. today, I left in disgrace!

It has been a challenging couple of years at my employer. For two years I have been scared to death that I would be fired just months away from getting a full pension.

A previous boss attacked me and my work on a daily basis and started the termination process. I fought back hard and submitted a formal workforce grievance using an Employment Attorney. That helped me keep my job but the attacks continued. I had few people who supported me even after twenty years of hard work for the company. Many of my fellow employees and managers are glad to see me go.

I was told that I am leaving my job and the company in disgrace and I should have gone years ago. There will be no going away party. My departure will be anti-climatic.

But in my retirement which starts on January 1, 2025, I will do just fine with my pension, 401K investments, and Social Security, etc.

However it would have been better if I had a going away party and all kinds of kind words about my hard work and wonderful personality and gold watch. Should I be bitter?