What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
When I first made the decision to begin blogging, I believed that it would be a great way for me to record my thoughts and experiences as I transitioned into retirement. I also hoped that it would help me to keep in touch with friends around the world, especially since I had just returned home… Continue reading Face-to-Face
So far, I’ve written a fair amount about the perks and freedoms of retirement. Without a doubt, the list of retirement pros is long. However, I would be neglectful not to portray the flip side. As the famous saying goes: “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With (great) freedom comes (great) responsibility."(Source) … Continue reading Retirement Responsibilities
Here I am packing for another trip. In the past, this would not have been unusual if it were official vacation or even business travel. But, it’s simply a random get-away. Insert light bulb going off here: 'I am retired!!' As strange as it may seem, I often forget that I am no longer employed.… Continue reading You Know You Are Retired When….
I can go for days without any computer, tablet or phone connectivity. I can and I did. The world did not end. Who knew? I cannot plan everything. Even I (who previously thought that spontaneity was for slackers) have begun to realize that improvisation is often the most challenging and rewarding commitment of all. Music… Continue reading Top Ten Lessons Learned on the Camino Trail: Personal Reflections
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
My husband started it! Early in our retirement, he threw down the gauntlet and wanted us to preserve defined weekends. I pouted…just a little bit…okay, a lot! For years I had been totally sold on the concept that during retirement every day would be Saturday (or Sunday). To me, it was now like saying there… Continue reading Retirement: Everyday Is Saturday–Or Is It?
Yesterday, my husband and I attended his 50th high school reunion. It was a great evening, and a wonderful weekend back in the area where he grew up. Richard enjoyed catching up with old friends and classmates. I loved getting extra snippets of his life before we met (way before we met)! It really was… Continue reading Why You Should Attend Your High School Reunion…And Take Your Spouse!
This past week, I hit the one-year mark both of being officially retired and of living back in Canada. With a full year behind me, has it been all that I anticipated? Yes and no--in equal measures. I remember a conversation that I had with one of my daughter-in-laws the day that we arrived back… Continue reading Reflections on Retirement – One Year In
I’ve been surrounded by thoughts on irrelevance. A blogger, that I recently began to follow, shared that she was overwhelmed with feelings of non-importance as she completed her final term of full-time work and prepared for retirement. While I was mentally composing a reply, I glanced at a television program that my husband was watching.… Continue reading Does Retirement Equal Irrelevance?
When working on my last post, and reflecting on 'lists' and on what I would miss, the following memory was provoked. Many years ago, I was asked to select ten words, out of 100 listed, that I believed named what was most important to me. “A personal values assessment,” I said aloud. The examiner was… Continue reading Words on a Page
Retirement Reflections 