I often think back to the Summer of '73. I was a rising ninth grader. During that summer, I had the luxurious gift of time. I read books, swam in my uncle's pool, hung out with friends, and had lots of time to myself in my little house on Rochelle Street. When I look back at pictures of myself that summer, I gleam--evidence of a summer when I could do what I wanted and felt good about myself.
After the summer of '73, there were many enjoyable summer events, but I never had that kind of time again until now--47 years later. It has been a very busy 47 years and while there have been some troubles and a few regrets, overall, it's was a positive and very busy life.
Retirement has thrust me into brand new arena not unlike that 8th grade summer. Time is plenty, and structure is little, but my outlook is different. During the summer of '73, I was looking forward to high school, college, a career, marriage, and family--that's the life I wanted and would spend the next 47 years working at and for that life. Now 47 years later, my children are embarking on their own lives, my career as a classroom teacher has ended, and I am enjoying my time with my husband, Mike, more than ever.
The word retirement doesn't truly illustrate what these years will be for me. Before signing onto any new jobs or efforts, I am giving myself a year to focus on catch-up related to personal and family efforts that have been left unattended to during my busy teaching career. After that I'll likely see the world anew and make decisions about next steps. Hence, I have this amazing gift of time, and I don't want to squander it. Onward.