What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
There are endless quips regarding marriage and retirement. "When you retire you switch bosses – from the one who hired you, to the one that married you." (Gene Perret) “When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband and half the salary.” (William Mitchell) "A married husband is often a wife's full-time job." (Ella… Continue reading “Hi, Honey, I’m Home…Forever!”
I was hesitant to fully engage in this holiday season. There were noticeable absences in our recent family photos. I forced myself to decorate. I forgot to download my Christmas music. I let Costco do my baking. The festivities that I had always embraced so naturally didn’t feel the same as they had before. I… Continue reading Reflections on Christmas 2016
I've been rethinking my Christmas traditions this year. A bit like closet cleaning, I want to ensure that I thoughtfully keep what is meaningful, retire what no longer fits, and make room for new traditions that will add value and substance. When thinking about Christmas cards, I researched the history of Christmas card sending. (Why?… Continue reading A Christmas Card For You
His photos have been featured on numerous of my previous blog posts. His presence can be felt between the lines of most things that I have written. For so long, he has been intricately woven into my husband’s and my lives, and the lives of our family. Less than six weeks ago, when I could… Continue reading Not Ready to Say Goodbye
There are things that I am afraid to put into writing for fear of making them too real. For this week’s post, I had planned to write a lighthearted self-reflection on something or other. Then the past few days happened. Without going into specifics, these days have been tough beyond measure. All lightheartedness instantly evaporated.… Continue reading Ties that Bind
Twenty-four years ago, as you stood to receive your kindergarten graduation diploma, I wept. Everything was new. All hopes and dreams were possible. You were forging out into the world with your own unique set of passions and talents. My heart burst with love, admiration and pride. Since that time, I have witnessed you in… Continue reading Dear Son: Reflections on your Graduation
We spent this past weekend in Victoria, BC, watching our youngest son, Creighton, compete in a half marathon. A priority for our retirement years is to attend family events as often as we can. It was a beautiful weekend—with our dog in tow. While waiting for Creighton to pass by the 16 K loop, we… Continue reading Reflections from a Half-Marathon
It had been a perfect evening on the beach. The campfire was intoxicating and the s'mores (with their melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, and gooey marshmallows, precisely smushed between two crispy graham crackers) had never tasted so good. While we savored our meticulously roasted treats, marvelled at the majestic skyline, laughed and reminisced, our dog fervently dug a… Continue reading An Unforgettable Evening
Out of all of the gifts for which I am most grateful, being blessed with a kind, caring, and generous mother stands out among the best. This single good-fortune has helped prepare me for so much that followed. I grew up with the confidence that comes from having a central person in your life always… Continue reading Thanks, Mom!
“In life it is not where you go—it’s who you travel with.” Charles M. Schultz Today is my sixteenth wedding anniversary. As the number of years does not adequately speak to my depth of emotion, or the lifetime of adventures that my husband and I have shared, I almost didn’t include it. The main reason… Continue reading A Love Letter
Retirement Reflections 