I'M GRATEFUL FOR HAVING A LOT OF THINGS ON MY "TO DO" LIST.
Upon retirement, many friends asked, "What will you do with your time? Don't you think you will get bored?"
I suppose there are those that their job entirely defines them. All cover-to-the-package and nothing inside. There is nothing wrong with having a great job you look forward to and that you enjoy so much you just can't wait for Monday morning to arrive, so you can get back in the saddle. The challenge is that eventually, age, forced retirement, layoff, illness, injury with stop that daily commute.
So what else is there?
Family, spouse, children, grand-children, travel, hobbies, cooking, reading, volunteering, hiking, camping, boating, writing, music, other passions?
I recently ran into a man I served on a non-profit board with. He had been the CEO of his company and experienced mandatory retirement. He hated retirement. He had spent so much time at his profession, that he had neglected to develop any other interests in his life. I guess he worked late, came home, ate, watched TV and went to bed.
Every day, Who knows what he did on the weekend (maybe went into the office).
Where is the long-term personal satisfaction? The activities that define our character on the weekend, the ones we wish we had more time to pursue, if it weren't for Monday, back at work (regardless of how happy you are at work)..complete us as a person (probably makes us more interesting too).
Retirement is not to be feared or regretted, but embraced as the next chapter filled with time to fully pursue all the activities we have already developed...just didn't have enough time, because of that pesky daily task that consumed the lion's share of our life for 40+ years.
I am grateful for the multiple list of things I wish to do, that to accomplish, far exceed the hours remaining. Miles to go before I sleep.
This is one.
Gotta go, more cool stuff on my other lists to do.
rlw
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I AM GRATEFUL FOR ARRIVING.
For fifty years, I have been chasing this day, sometimes thinking I would reach the decision earlier, embrace it or pass on it altogether and work until I dropped behind the plow. June 28 (6/28/): the only day of the year where the month and the day are perfect numbers.
Alarm is set today for 6:05a. It is 5:10 a. I am wide awake and feeling a bit anxious. Although I am starting a 10 day road trip with the first stop Disneyland tomorrow...I don't think that is it.
What is the 'it'?
Last day to set the alarm to get ready for work.
Last day at work.
Last day for setting out suit/tie combo to meet clients.
Last day of the day choosing me vs. me choosing the day.
There will be appointments and deadlines and schedules in the future...but I don't HAVE to if I don't WANT to.
10 suits/sports coats.
15 pair dress shoes
50 dress shirts.
100 snazzy ties.
*******
Faded Levis.
Tennis shoes (with paint splatters)
Black 'Fender' tee shirt
Raggedy Grey sweatshirt with washed out 'WELTON' in marker pen on the back (my son Nick's old high school PE sweatshirt).
My, how the dress code will change in 7 hours 21 minutes and 35 seconds.
rlw
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I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HISTORY OF JUNE 28.
June 28 is the 179th day of the year.
June 28 is the ONLY date each year where both the month and the date are"perfect numbers".
June 28, 1895 is the date that Labor Day became an official U.S. holiday
June 28, 2012 is the day that Robert L. Welton leaves the labor force for good. A perfect day. Retirement.
rlw
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I AM GRATEFUL FOR OMENS.
Omen: anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future.
Have mentioned many times about my desire to retire and have been debating about exactly when to pull the trigger. I needed a certified copy of my birth certificate to complete the forms. I sent off for it ages ago to public records in Oklahoma.
Yesterday's mail brought not only the birth certificate I have been waiting for but, also the latest updated copy of my social security payout form. Omen.
Filling out the paperwork tonight.
rlw
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I AM GRATEFUL FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE.
I am getting ready to depart the workforce and of course, lose the medical benefits, that, if you are lucky, came along with full time employment.
My wife's insurance through her work covers the family and with a couple of medical issues I have...I am thankful for that. I have a friend that went to part-time recently, lost her medical benefits, had a stroke and is now unable to work. She still has to pay almost $800/month in medical insurance out of a meager disability check. This person made six figures last year and in a matter of months, is now downsizing from a four bedroom home in a nice area to a two-bedroom duplex in a not-so-nice area and is applying for welfare.
I have had a great life and do not, for a moment, take for granted the good fortune I have to be covered by medical insurance, especially in my physical circumstances, that allows me the luxury of retiring with a dollar or two left over to enjoy life with.
rlw
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