I wrote this piece five years ago. But each June I reflect on the one-time career and the years that have passed since. This is a pretty good summary of my thinking, still no l regrets. I changed only the number of years since retirement, added footnote.
Twenty-eight years ago today I was officially superannuated.* Closed out the career. Retired.
Thanks to time off for good behavior and other favorable considerations, I had actually turned in the keys a few days earlier. But the record shows June 30, 1990 to be the official retirement date.
You step off the train. The train moves on. It is bound on a journey which brought you to this point, but you cannot go now where it is going. You may go somewhere else by some other means, but that train is gone, and its destination is not your destination.
The beginning of the twenty-ninth year of retirement sparks a bit of reflection. I am not one for "what ifs" or "it might have beens." In fact, regrets make up a very tiny package, and I do not carry it with me. Thus I do not regret that my portfolio might have been more impressive had I stayed longer on the ride. I not only do not regret, I revel in the choice I made. I rejoice in my journey along the byways that that train does not travel.
"The laborer is worthy of his hire." Work is not life; it is an honorable provision of the means for living. To those who ask, What do you do with yourself? I say, I am living. I am abundantly blessed.
*Synonyms for superannuated: old, old-fashioned, antiquated, out of date, outmoded, broken-down, obsolete, disused, defunct
7 comments:
For me it has been seventeen years and three months. I do enjoy the seven-day weekends.
Grace, thank you. It is the caring and support from friends such as you that make the journey pleasant and worthwhile.
Chuck, seven day weekends-- can't top that!
I, too, had big life changes in 1990, although unlike yours. Overall, you remind me of a really good friend who does not understand my obsession with "do." He asks, "Isn't it enough to be?"
Sharkey while I enjoy being "free" unlike your friend I understand that some people have to be constantly busy.
I hope I'm not in need of CONSTANT busyness, but I do like to accomplish things beyond be-ing. Even if I manage to "be" good.
The train does move on, and on, and on, and as it moves everything changes - for those still on and those now off. I like the leisure and options of retirement, but I have to admit that I miss the social interaction and challenges.
Sharkey, did not mean to suggest that you never "took a rest," but you did fill your time with worthwhile endeavors.
Vee, yes, everything is a trade-off.
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