Blogging, Food, Friendship, Gratitude, Reflection, Trying New Things

The Farewell Post

Retirement Reflections

When I last wrote on this blog, a little over a month ago, I promised I’d return mid-September for our monthly What’s On Your Bookshelf post. And that’s partially true. I’m back—but this time to say goodbye.

In early August, I took a break from blogging so my husband and I could fly to Hong Kong to be with our youngest son who was seriously injured in a bike accident while training for an IronMan competition. Thankfully, he is recovering well, and Richard and I are now back home. That time away gave me a chance to reflect and left me realizing that I’m ready for something new. Ready for what? I’m not quite sure. But I am open to the challenge.

Above all, I am grateful. I’m grateful that our son is recovering and that we have a strong family and friends to surround him as he continues to heal.

I am also grateful for all that nearly ten years of blogging have given me. When I began, I wasn’t sure what I was doing or why. I certainly never anticipated the deep and lasting friendships that would grow here, nor the challenges, adventures, and personal growth that would follow.

As I prepared to write this post, I reviewed my WordPress statistics and quickly realized that the numbers themselves are insignificant. What matters are the people behind them. I would like to thank each and every one of you. Whether you visited once, followed for years, left a comment, or reached out through my contact page, you made a difference. If we’ve become friends, know that your presence in my life has been a gift beyond measure, one that words cannot fully capture.

I plan to keep this site open until next summer while I review posts, decide which ones to keep, and how to keep them. If you have any ideas or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.

This isn’t so much an ending as it is a turning of the page. If you would like to stay in touch, I invite you to reach out, and we can find a way to do that.

The linkups of What’s On Your Bookshelf, What’s Been on Your Calendar, and Wellness Reimagined will continue. You can access them monthly on Sue’s, Debbie’s, Jo’s, and Jen’s (Wellness Reimagined) sites.

With a full heart, I say thank you—for showing up, for reading, and for sharing. I remain forever grateful.

lessons learned
Last Week in Photos
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Pics of fellow bloggers I’ve been fortunate to meet up with over the years.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

154 thoughts on “The Farewell Post”

  1. Dear Donna,

    I’m so sorry to read about your son. I’m glad he is recovering well and I hope he will still be able to perform in the Iron Man and other sporting events. This episode also made me think about your poor dog way back when and I hope these two episodes don’t have anything in common!!!

    I totally understand you being ready for new ventures that are different from blogging. I’ve struggled with the time sink of this hobby and if people actually care about what I write or post about, because every hour I spend on my blog are hours I can’t earn money or relax, and our days are already chock full with life’s events and demands on the road. Plus, I might be happier working on a second book instead of putting all that time into my website.

    I also feel that most people don’t get what I am going through or actually trying to share. I know… We all have different reasons to blog and to quit blogging and to stick with it or not. Wishing you well with your next hobby!!! I hope we can stay in touch via different means. Facebook?

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  2. I’m sorry to see you leave the blogging world. I have enjoyed your posts and our friendship. You never know, we may meet one day when I’m on the west coast. I’m glad your son is OK and healing. ♥️♥️

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  4. It has been a pleasure meeting you here, Donna! In a way, your blog name itself indicated that you’d be moving on eventually. There’s only so long one can “reflect” before focusing energy on what’s ahead! Best of all things to you! ☺️

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  6. Glad to hear your son is recovering. I completely understand the need to rethink redefine blogging. Thank you Donna, you have /are a good writer friend with a great writer’s voice. Good luck to you.

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  7. I am sorry to see you go as I have enjoyed reading your blog. Glad your son is doing better. Best wishes for a happy future. Thanks for brightening my life.

    Jean

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  8. So sad to hear that you are moving on; I’ll miss hearing about what’s up in your life. But I understand and wish you the very best on the next stage of your life journey. Thanks for letting us know.

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  9. Hi Donna. I just read this when I popped in for #WOYBS. I’m so sorry to hear about your son. I rarely look at FB these days, so missed your news, if it was there. I’m sure you’ve had a stressful and difficult time. I’m also sorry to hear that your are saying goodbye. I have come to appreciate our connections here and will miss you. Lets just say it’s goodbye for now. Best wishes to you and your family. Take care.

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  10. Hi Donna, I am so sad to hear that you are ending this blog. You will be greatly missed by so many, and I am on of those who will miss you so much (I think you know how much I love ya – and thanks again for being part of the summer interview series. And it is crazy to think about that as just a few months ago because it feels like more than a year – hmmm)

    Hope your son heals up and glad he is on the mend!

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    1. Thank you so much, Yvette. I have greatly enjoyed all of our interactions together. I have learned a great deal from you. I would love to remain in touch. You already have my email address and this blog site will remain open until next August, so you can get in touch anytime through Contact Me. ❤

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      1. That sounds good and I started an email to you last night – but then got sidetracked – and will finish is later this week (not long, but just mentioning what you put here – that I hope we can stay in touch – and maybe even meet up in 2026 or 2027)
        Also, I had a thought about your blog being open or closed….

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      2. Regarding your blog and what to leave open – my suggestion is to leave some of your posts here for good. Because some of the wonderful content can change a life.
        I do not say that lightly – because your posts have a lot to offer – and you just never know who might land on a post and get an insight or find a tidbit for their life journey. Especially because you share with transparency and not ego-laden and NOT trying to elevate yourself – that is what kept me coming back, because Donna shared her retirement reflections with life shares that were genuine and authentic!
        —
        I have an example of what really helped me back in 2014 and 2015. I did a lot of searching online for certain information – and I wanted non-mainstream views and I was digging for certain info. I got what I needed! It took sleuthing around with YouTube videos, reading articles, and then landing on certain websites and blogs.
        One site I spent a lot of time on what a healing group (not wordpress) and they had five bloggers sharing their journey and the host lady would offer summaries and then she often wrote about separate topics.
        By the time I landed on that site, the blogs were closed down and so was the site – but I was SO glad to comb through the pages there. I was very grateful the folks there decided to leave their site up because I am sure other folks landed there and found useful stuff too. But even if it was just the way it powerfully helped me – which I went on the pay it forward as possible – well that ripple effect is powerful.
        And so with your blog, if you decide to leave some posts static here, it could help future retirees naviagte their way – or it can just help anyone who lands here to read a book review, a wellness post, or explore some of your shares.
        ***
        Please keep that in mind as you decide what to leave here.
        wishing you a good day!
        ***
        “Change is in the air, as old things meander away and new paths are emerging”

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  12. It has taken me literally eons to process this and come back to comment.
    You were one of the first bloggers that I felt a connection to, and I am lucky to know that won’t change. I hope you continue writing as your style conveys a beautiful connection between words and people.
    On a practical side, I hope to find out how you “close it off” and yet keep the content you desire.
    Take care and see you soon! There is irony in that I am going to meet another blogger IRL but you no longer blog!!

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    1. Ah, Bernie – Thank you for coming back to this post and for leaving such a heart-warming comment. And thank you for all of the support that you have given me, especially in time of great need. I very much look forward to seeing you soon. Once a blogger, always a blogger…at least at heart! ❤

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  13. Pingback: Tentatively dipping my toes back into the blogging world – Deb's World

  14. So glad to hear your son is recovering. It is so challenging when dear ones are across the globe when they need you.

    I shall miss you very much in this space. I have enjoyed following you on your Camino adventures and our monthly food exploits during Covid.

    Wishing you all the best adventures as you continue on your journey.

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  15. Dear Donna, I read your post when it first arrived in my mailbox. All of the photos brought back memories and made me smile. I have so many thoughts, and I don’t know where to begin. Random and not in order of importance: The first time you and I met in person for dinner before your evening course with Richard – Chuck jokingly wondered if I might be meeting a sketchy couple abducting me into a cult (paraphrasing) – he was sort of right if friendship, writing, zoom visits, hikes can be classified a cult; Your kindness always evident in your online and in person relationships; Your inclusivity and making everyone feel welcome and heard; Sharing knowledge, information; Your genuine, thoughtful, caring essence; You always make a difference, Donna.💕 I especially love how you described WP and how the numbers are insignificant … “what matters are the people behind them.” A beautiful way to express the connections we make. 💕Erica

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    1. What a lovely comment, Erica. It is fantastic you got to meet Donna in person and share a wonderful friendship. I still remember reading about hanging out with her on your blog. You said it so well, that there is a since of inclusivity from Donna and her blog, ‘making everyone feel welcome and heard’. That’s the beauty of blogging and community, bringing people together. Lovely to see you again 🙂

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  16. I am so sorry to hear that you son was involved in an accidentally. Thankfully he is recovering and wishing him a full recovery. It is times like these we realise what’s important to us and where we want to spend our time. It is such a pleasure getting to know you and reading your posts over the years, Donna. I enjoyed your posts from travel to cooking to book reviews. Your blog gave me insight into the later years in life – and you showed us how living life can be fun, vibrant and full of zest. That it’s never too late to enjoy life and live it on our own terms. We just have to make that choice and make it work. So much positivity here 🥰

    Ten years is a long time to be blogging. Like you I’ve been blogging for a decade and more and sometimes feel it can be a time for change. I’ve found making the choice to blog a handful of times a year works best for me these days. It allows me time for blogging and connecting with the community here, while also having time to live my life. I hope you find the next step with this chapter of your life. Take care and wishing you all the best, Donna 😊💕

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    1. As always, you have given me food for thought, Mabel 💕 I have not felt right about totally letting go of my blog. I visit bloggers often and I love to read their updates and their insights. ” … live it on your own terms” – you are a wise woman, Mabel and I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments to Donna. The “handful of times a year” gave me goosebumps … xo Erica

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      2. Your blog has its place in the online space. You showed us the beauty of the world around us and its everyday people, and your words tell of touching stories. I always enjoyed my time there 🙂 Lovely to hear from you again 💕

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      3. Thank you for your kind words, Mabel. I am still writing for other publications and on the fence about my blog. I believe I read how you are part of a new anthology book. I greatly enjoyed reading the “This is how we Grow” book and I look forward to reading the new one. 💕 Erica

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  17. Oh Donna, I’m so sorry your son was injured, but I’m glad he is healing. How upsetting. I, too, took a blogging break and so I missed your post. I hope you see this comment and we can find a way to stay in touch. Here’s my email: bvitell2009@gmail.com. Wishing you all good things in 2026 🧡🧡🧡

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    1. Hi, Barbara – Thank you for stopping by. Our son is now healing well (still a ways to go but he’s doing much better). In a blink of an eye, we went from caregiving for our son, to caregiving to my 95 year old mother. So retiring from the blogging world when I did was absolutely the right call. I do miss our interaction together and I very much look forward to keeping in touch. Wising you a wonderful 2026 ahead!

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