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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Retirement Thoughts



A friend of mine over at Buttercup Counts Her Blessings had a very thoughtful and thought-provoking post yesterday.  It concerns her fantasy about retirement.  It got me thinking about my retirement and what I have accomplished, or not, and how it has affected my relationship with BJ.

I retired almost four years ago and didn't know how I would feel with all that time.  I have no idea where the time went or what I did during that time.  I do know that it I felt wonderful.  Retirement was my reward for having worked for so many decades.  

Not that I haven't done more in retirement than I've mentioned.  I did volunteering at a shelter, have a shredding party with old documents, redecorating my apartment, and other stuff.

Things I No Longer Need To Do

I no longer had to set an alarm.
I no longer felt the stress of going to my job, which in the last two years I no longer liked.
I no longer experienced the stress related acid reflex.
Time pressure lessened or is non-exisitent


The Positive Things I Know Happened

Mom can't get out.
I know that it was wonderful:
Not to have to see BJ's sad face when I was walking out.

Not to have to move BJ away when he positioned himself in front of the door and wouldn't move.

Not to have to get BJ when he snuck out and sat in front of the door to the stairs we use to go down. 
Not to have to hear BJ cry when I left.








There are days that I have commitments and I'm glad about that.  I have some structure.  

Most of all, I do not feel guilty about not doing anything except read or play computer games.  It's my life no matter what "friends" say I should be doing.

Retirement is a reward for having worked for so many decades.


8 comments:

  1. I am totally with you. My life looks dull and boring to outsiders, i'm sure, but I love it and if I didn't, I have the freedom to change it.

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  2. Thanks for the nice comment on my post. Retirement is a great reward for decades of work and I am grateful for it.

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  3. you are so right unless you are like my husband who was FORCED along with thousands of other teachers to retire from the Detroit Public Schools when he was just around 62. We are sadly hurting as a result, because I am unemployed. If it is a "natural" retirement, I couldn't agree with you more.

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    1. I have empathy for you. It's not great to be forced to retire then you probably enjoy the time off. I hope you get a job soon.

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  4. Right on Lynda, life is too short not to do the things you enjoy!

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    1. I sometimes feel a little guilty about not doing more and taking advantage of all the things NYC has to offer.

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