It’s Monday. For us retired folks, that means it’s Saturday. Every day is Saturday. And, Saturday after Saturday can get old after a while. It would be so easy to get up late and have a cup of coffee with the morning news. Maybe do a couple chores. Then, of course, the obligatory afternoon nap. Then supper, the news, and bed time. There are variations on this depending on the season or where you live. You can throw in a round of golf before the nap. Or, maybe take up that yoga class that someone said would help with the aches and pains that seem to be getting far more frequent and severe. Yep, retirement. This is what I worked to achieve for those 50 years. This is the fruit of my labors.
Actually, it’s pretty underwhelming over all. When I was working for someone else there were always deadlines to be met. Everything ABSOLUTELY HAD TO GET DONE NOW! And, ERROR FREE! Every. Single. Time. This kept us active and on our toes. There was no time to sit back and chillax. Schedules don’t change. Even when they’re completely unrealistic.
Then, there was dealing with people who, well, let’s just say lacked. I remember after a meeting that I had been fairly expressive in my somewhat even-keeled demeanor. Actually, I had basically told someone that they were fucking crazy if they thought that what they wanted was going to get done. My boss took me aside afterwards to add a corrective to what I had said. I told him that I can’t help it. I just have a very low tolerance for ignorance. That didn’t fly too far. But, it kept me active and on my toes!
Even though I was working for the other guy for most of my waking hours, that didn’t change any of the responsibilities that I had after working hours. For a lot of years I spent every evening save on each week driving one child or the other to soccer practice. Or, we had teach conferences or band/choir concerts, drama club, or to this one’s or that’s friend’s house. I enjoyed all of that. It’s what makes parenting fun. I would not have traded any of that for the world. Then, there was band practice. I spent most of the 80’s and early 90’s either playing in bands or mixing sound. This took up what little time that I had after all of the aforementioned activities were done. Yep, this surely kept me active and on my toes.
All of those years on the move, keeping everyone happy, including me, are a happy memory now.
I’m retired. Every day is Saturday.
I think I’ll go take a nap.
I spent a year and change on unemployment during the pandemic (thank God I had sufficient wherewithal to ride that out). I suppose that could be said to have been a bit of a taste of retirement. I rather liked it, LOL – there are things I’ve been waiting/wanting to do if and when I can officially retire that I can see doing then! Classes I’d like to take, places I want to visit – lots and LOTS of books I want to read…
Yeah, there’s that. Today is my wife’s last day. She is officially retired.
There are many things to do. Paying for them and staying alive long enough to
do them are considerations. ;o)