THE GRAND STATE OF RETIREMENT

The first year of retirement I tutored all year, actually much more than I had planned. So the second year I did nothing except occasionally substitute in two bridge clubs. Starting last March I began traveling and that continued through the summer. I enjoyed the travels, but I am very happy to stay at home for a while. But here’s the problem: I may have begun to do more than I intended this year.

I joined one of the bridge clubs that meets once a month. Then I signed up for a Bible study that meets once a week at church. (Last week I went for the first time and forgot to bring my Bible!!) We have resumed Wednesday night dinners at church and of course, our favorite team, the Florida Gators, is back in the swing of things. I feel like my tongue is hanging out.

Today I am first going to the study (think I’ll take my Bible this time), then going to a high school class luncheon, then picking up grandson Jay from school and keeping him for the afternoon. Jim IV will pick up Annie and join us for dinner, after which the genius has parents’ night at school.

I might as well go back to work. Well, I’m not really complaining; I do enjoy it all. It’s just that I’ve had so many people tell me that it would be like this and I really didn’t want to rush around everywhere.

But if you think my schedule sounds a little harried, you should hear my sister MA’s. She wrote me what she and her husband (who is also retired) are doing and I wanted to take a nap just thinking about it.

The word retired itself is interesting. It could mean we need a makeover like getting new treads. Or it could mean we have been exhausted and are in that state again. I suppose it really means that we are supposed to stop working and take life easy, but actually all three definitions apply.

I need a makeover, I’m tired again, and I have definitely stopped working for pay as my bank account shows.