Member-only story
The Dreaded “Retirement” Word
No, no, no
Twenty-four years old, freshly married, I was introducing my love at a work party. We had dated thru college. “Girlfriend” rolled off the tongue smooth and easy. Even fiancé wasn’t difficult. But “wife”? Damn, that was tough. I really had trouble forming the word in my mouth. Seemed so… permanent. (oh, and it has been… 38 years in).
Now has come the most difficult of all words… “retirement”.
Personally, I claim career change. I blog most days. I am writing my novel… slowly, glacially slow. But it is getting there. So I tell people. I feel guilty some days. Two hours a day writing versus the 14 hour days of corporate work-hell that I escaped. But life is so good!
What it is for me
All the little things. Getting to watch West Coast MLB games in the middle of the week, if I choose. New Years Eve bowl games! For decades I had to work on New Years… closing the books. Sleeping in. Watching Stephen A Smith. Used to hate him when I saw little clips. Love him now. Eating breakfast. Harvesting our own food. West Michigan is amazing.
The bigger things. Actually listening to my wife when she speaks. Relaxed phone calls with my adults kids. Reading books for…
