Note: Read with caution. Something tells me you may be humming (or strumming) to a Roberta Flack song or singing along with Foreigner while reading this.
June 2021--One year ago today was the first day of my retirement. It was a melancholy day to say the least--happy to be moving forward in my life journey—yet sad to be moving away from something I loved.
Looking back, that first day of retirement was the first of many firsts. It was the first time I didn’t have a deadline. It was the first time—in a long time—I didn’t have anywhere I had to go. It was the first time—in a long time—I ate breakfast at my kitchen table instead of at my desk in the office and using my own microwave to heat up my hot chocolate (yes, I drink hot chocolate all year long and of course, always with marshmallows—lots of marshmallows) instead of the microwave in the office.
It felt like it was the first time—in a long time—I didn’t make a list of what I needed to get done—be it work related or a household chore. It was the first time—in a long time—I played fetch with my puppy so early in the morning. It was the first time—in a long time—I wasn’t rushing out the door so early in the morning, only to have to make my way back up the driveway and into the house because I forgot something. (I’m shaking my head laughing to myself because I don’t think a week ever went by that I didn’t go back into the house after getting a few blocks away once I realized I had forgotten something I would need.)
It was the first time—in a long time—I pulled up all the blinds in the house to let the sun shine in through the windows and soak it all up. It was the first time—in a long time—I turned on the radio and sat for a few minutes to listen to a news report or some of my favorite songs.
It was the first time—in a long time—I could answer the phone and not say to the caller, “Only have a minute—getting ready to leave for work.”
It was the first time—in a long time—I didn’t need that bedside pad of paper to jot down notes that were floating around in my head because it was the first time—in a long time—my brain turned off all by itself when the lights were turned off.
It was the first time—in a long time—I planned ahead for what we were going to have for dinner and actually took something out of the freezer to defrost slowly instead of picking up something on the way home or relying on my husband grab something for us.
It was the first time—in a long time—I got around to sorting out the stuff in that junk drawer. (I should say drawers—there are several. Admit it—you’ve probably got several, too.)
That being said...
It was not the first time I missed the laughter in my office and instead just had to picture in my head my former coworkers laughing over something. It was the first time in a long I wasn’t running across the hall to get some of that freshly made popcorn. It was the first time in a long time I wasn’t chatting at the coffee cart with those needing their morning brew.
It was the first time I wasn’t scheduling interviews or doing interviews or writing a story after an interview about an amazing student. It was the first time I was actually missing TeamWork, an online project management program. (Did I just say that?? Me? The one who was a little resistant at first because I liked my paper calendars and my handwritten notes?)
It wasn't the first time I was missing the camaraderie of fellow coworkers—sharing what was happening with me and my family outside of the office and hearing what was happening with them and their families.
It was the first time it really hit me—I’m done. I’m retired. I’m unemployed. And it was the first time it hit me that I’ll have all the time I need to do what I want to do instead of what I have to do (although I loved doing what I had to do). It hit me I could spend more time with my grandchildren in person instead of through a lens. I could spend more time with my family and friends. And, I could actually stay at the mailbox and chat with neighbors out for a walk instead of grabbing the mail while my car was still running before pulling back into the garage.
Today marks one year since my retirement. A lot has happened this past year—not only in my little corner of the world, but all over the world. There have been good days and very good days, and some not-so-good days, but all in all it’s been a heck of a good year. A lot has changed for me and change can be good. (I’m fessin' up—I’ve changed back to a paper calendar and handwritten notes. I know. I know. Insert face plant.)
Never been one to sit still. Didn’t have the time. Now I still don’t sit still (not for too long anyway) and I do have the time. Crazy how that works, isn’t it? I am going to have to learn to just sit very still in those adirondack chairs.
But what rocks is that I am fortunate to take advantage of the fact I can
Take it one day at a time...
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