Retirement is as much a process of letting go as embracing new pursuits. When you make a decision to leave a team, you have to let go. I enjoyed playing an active role at the grade-level, school, and system I worked in, but now it's time to let go. Fortunately there are many wonderful educators who will continue to commit to the grade-level, school's, and system's welfare in the years to come.
Letting go is a process I'm engaged in as a mom of young adult children too. As they embark on their own lives, it's time for me to step back and let go of leading their lives in many ways. It is a time for changing my role with regard to my sons' daily lives.
Letting go of the old makes space for the new. As I've noted before, my life now in many ways is like a blank page ready to good times, and meaningful endeavor. The first step is a focus on home. After a long and dedicated career as an educator, there's a lot of catch-up to do in order to shore up my home, care for my family, and take care of a number of personal needs too.
Letting go is a bittersweet event, and an event that holds promise too. Onward.