The joy of retirement comes in those everyday pursuits that embrace the joy of life; to experience daily the freedom to invest one’s life-long knowledge for the betterment of others. Byron Pulsifer, retired criminologist, author.
There is no job description for retirement. It truly is a learn-as-we-go experience in our lives. For years, we all dream of retiring - doing only what we want to do. Yet in the back of our minds, apprehension often raises doubts. However, the learning process of retirement can truly be rewarding.
Rest
Whenever asked what was the first thing that I would I do in retirement from teaching, I always responded, “I plan to sit on my back porch for a month and watch the tide ebb and flood.” And I did. The moving waters restored my tired body, mind and soul. They still do.
Work
Life didn’t stop because I stopped teaching full time. Of course by then, I had written a weekly newspaper column for 31 years and planned to continue to write. This year marked the column’s 51st year. Not long thereafter, the publisher asked me if I would like to write features again. I jumped at the chance to interview people and tell their stories, my favorite part of newspaper work. I also had the opportunity to conduct writing workshops for English teachers in a number of school systems across the state and to judge yearbooks from around the country. We all need to have some concrete projects in mind that we want to undertake.
For my husband, retirement offered him an opportunity to literally build hands-on a home. It took him 20 years to complete it.
I think the first chore I undertook at the house beyond daily tasks was to wash windows. I make no apologies. I do not like housework. I see futility in such repetition. Make the bed, sleep in it, make it again the next day. Cook a meal, eat it, cook again a few hours later. However, I do not like a dirty house, thus I clean. Since we married 63 years ago, my husband has always swept and mopped the floors from our first apartment to our retirement home.
Volunteerism
The Rev. Bobby Schuler, pastor of Shepherd Grove Presbyterian, says that God wants humans to work with purpose. “Do stuff - to the glory of God.”
While neither of us have volunteered to work through groups to help charities, we’ve looked for ways we can help. We know we are blessed and we want to share. One doesn’t have to look very far; there is need everywhere.
Spontaneity and serendipity
One of the joys in retirement has come with the time to go on the spur of the moment and revel in the serendipity we encounter. We’ve traveled the back roads and have taken the detours to out of the way places to see the sights of this great country. Never be too busy to follow a beckoning opportunity. Be receptive to serendipitous experiences, those unexpected happenings which enrich our lives.
Fun
Traveling has long been our favorite source for fun. We began to travel in earnest when my husband retired in 1996; we headed West with a tent and bedrolls. But since I had not retired, our travel time was limited to summer and school holidays, times when most everyone else travels. It took 9/11, the shock, horror and realization that life is short, for me to retire. I loved teaching. I loved my students. But, we needed to make the most of whatever time we had together.
We scheduled my retirement trip for October of 2002. Pulling a trailer, we headed to Texas to visit family and friends. We spent a day at the Texas State Fair where we dined on Fletcher’s corny dogs and toured every exhibit. We had a chance encounter with Maya Angelou in San Antonio. We appreciated the stark beauty that is Big Bend National Park. At this remote park on the Texas-Mexican border, a park ranger advised us, “Make it a good day.” We have heeded his advice as we’ve visited all 50 states. We have had fun in making each day on the road count.
Advice
I dislike today’s pessimistic phrase, “It is what it is.” Recently, I learned of a new book, It Is What You Make of It, by minister, author, artist, songwriter Justin McRoberts. He says, “love doesn’t just win, mercy doesn’t just triumph, and light doesn’t just cast out shadow. Rather, such renewal requires the work of human hands and hearts committed to a vision of a world made right (or at least a little better). When we partner with God in these endeavors, we love the world well and honor the Creator in whose image we are made.”
Retirement is what we make of it. With that attitude, it not only offers us a chance to appreciate the good that comes our way, but it also nudges us to express our gratitude daily.
One final thought. For folks to enjoy their retirement years, however long that may be, they need to plan for them in advance. One of the very first features that I wrote back in the 1970s evolved from interviews with people who agreed to talk to us anonymously about how they lived on Social Security income only. While this Depression-era program offers retirees a cushion, it cannot possibly meet all needs today.
To make the most of one’s golden years, young people need to plan and save. Likewise, more health issues arise as we age. Be sure to have good health insurance in place. And begin now making each day a good one.
2022
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