Retirement....

Yes, my day finally arrived.  Yesterday was my last day of work with a company I have been employed at for 25 years, 10 months and 12 days.   I arrived at this company on December 16, 1985 when the company was only six months old.  I have watched her grow from being on one floor with about 50 employees to where we are now with our own building and many, many, employees working from home.   I have made many friends, been involved with numerous potlucks, picnics, committees, cancer walks, leukemia walks, smoke alarm walks, arthritis walks, MS walks and many others.  I have coordinated many blood drives and bone marrow donor drives.  I have learned so much over the years. 

I owe much to my co-worker these past two years.  Without her amazing skills, patience, and knowledge, her willingness to teach me, I could not have survived in my last position.  I will not identify her; if she reads this, she will know.  Our bond and friendship was only in the office, but she has earned my highest respect.  She is amazing.  Thank you.  I hope we again can work together.  We make a great team.
Yesterday was a busy day as I tried to complete many tasks before I turned in my computer and closed this chapter in my life.  I did as much as I could.  Many people came by to say good bye and good luck.  I leave knowing I have many friends who cherish our friendship as I do.  I hope I see many of them again.

Today, being Saturday, seems like another day.  When I tell myself that I do not need to go to work on Monday, it seems odd.  I imagine that even next week, and the week after, it will seem as if I am on vacation.  Soon, the reality will seep in.  I am in the preview of my next chapter.  What I do over the next few weeks will determine my steps, perhaps for the rest of my life.

What do I want to do?  I want to make quilts, to bake, to cook, to can, to clean, to play - to do things I was always too busy to take much time to do.  I want to spend more quality time daily with God.  I want to serve.  I want to volunteer.  I want to walk.  I want to learn to run.  I want to spend quality time with those I love.  I want to make lots of memories, for me, and for those who will remain when God calls me home.   More than all this, I want to be available for whatever God wants me to do.  I want to make a difference.

What about you?  Are you retired, or are thinking about retirement?  What about your life now?  Is it what you always imagined it would be?  Do you feel like something is missing?  Do you feel abundantly blessed?   Take time to evaluate where you are in life and where you want it to end.  Don't blow this off and think 'I'll do it later' or 'I've got lots of time ahead of me'.  You do not know how long you have on this earth.  You do not know when you will be taken away from your loved ones.  

It's like the story of 'The Dash'.  From the year your were born, to the year you die, on the headstone is a dash.  That dash is your life.  What is your life going to show in that 'dash'?   Think about it.

Blessings!