Beginning

 

A new beginning

A fresh start

...

More like the ending of an old life and the living of a new life I don't understand

Almost being born again except with the old body

Almost like going on a trip without a map

-

I've always hated the word "retired", but I think that's because it's been burdened with untruths, like leisure, free time, freedom, avarice, excess, greed; as well as age, decline, suffering, disability, uselessness, poverty, death (as in, "He couldn't handle retirement. He died a couple years later.").

There is no normal retirement. Most of us can't sit on the porch and think while drinking coffee because 1. we don't have a porch; 2. we're not supposed to drink coffee; 3. it's too cold; 4. it's too hot; 5. the projects are calling us back inside.

I officially retired a few years ago, but funds were a little tight, so I got a parttime job. My husband had been looking forward to retiring for years and once his date was set to leave the company, mine was as well. He wanted me to retire with him. He felt bad that I had to work and he didn't. 

So, I officially retired with him. 

This first week of beginnings has been strange. There are so many projects that have waited for us that we have driven ourselves crazy trying to get them all done in a couple days. 

Not possible.

I'd like to say, we've got plenty of time, but we know that might not be true. I'd like to say we are on an extended vacation, but that's not true either. 

I think there needs to be a new name for retirement. Let's leave it open, allow it to be, like moving or getting a new job or having a baby or getting married or getting fired or ... you know, life changes. 

Any ideas?

(Yes, indeed, I will be blogging more!)