can usually change a lot of things. This phone call, that I received last evening, won't change a lot, but it will change some things. With work. My one boss, whom I complain about sometimes because she makes me learn and work... well, my favorite boss does too, but that's different. Anyway, Mary, my 'big' boss as in top of our organization called. What was the message after we chatted for a bit? "I'm going to retire in June". What wonderful news to hear! Mary recently lost her mother and she and her husband had driven back to Wisconsin to go through things with her siblings and probably spent time talking about how fast life is going by. They drove, so spent lots of time together in the car.
And he adores her. Seriously. I text'd him when they got back and asked how the trip went. His comment? "Trip back was uneventful, just what we needed. A couple of long days but when you're with your love it is cherished time." How many men - or women - could say that?
Mary explained that her husband is now 66 (she is 60) and they want to do things together, and travel. They want to make memories together. They want to enjoy life together. Life has become precious to them and they want to spend it with each other.
I am so happy for her, I really am. I wish I had that relationship with my hubby, I really do. But we don't. Can it be cultivated? Only by the grace of God. One Christian counselor used a word for our marriage, but I can't remember exactly what it was now. It's a long story, and not important to think about right now. Back to my boss.
I shared the news with hubby last night. His comment - and non-comment - was interesting. He asked "How will this affect you?" What I would have loved to hear was 'maybe we can work on you retiring this year'. But his question was "How will this affect you?" And to answer his question, it will mean I will have a new boss that I will have to learn their ways and skills and I will have to do more work than I do now. Seriously.
Oh well. This is my life and I do what I have to do. My opinion? Hubby doesn't want me to quit work because he would have to give up some of his 'extra' things (like going out to breakfast) with his friends. We would have to reign in some activities. It has driven him crazy that I am home all the time right now because of work. I stay pretty much in the bedroom, rarely coming out. Yet, I know what he does all day. If I wasn't working, I wouldn't be staying in my room all day.
And I would be bored out of my mind, I think! I would have to find things to do. I already crochet most every night. When hubby has the TV on, well, I've signed up for audible and downloaded a few books and I've started listening to them on a headset while the TV is on. I can crochet and listen. At least it is learning something and being productive! If he leaves the TV off, I can actually pick up a book or my kindle and READ a book. I've done both this week.
I don't know when I can retire...I feel hubby will fight me on it. His freedom to continue as he has will be reigned in some to cut back on spending. I'm more prudent than he is. We would not be able to go anywhere or do much of anything if I wasn't working. I made sure when we bought this place that if either of us should die, the other can keep this place on their own social security. It wouldn't have to be sold immediately. We never know what that could happen. We are both healthy so it could be several years yet. So, I guess I keep working until they tell me I just can't keep up. It's a struggle right now sometimes for me to understand new technology - because I just don't want to learn it.
I am driving down to the Mesa office today to meet one of the directors and hand off some equipment I have boxed up. Which means I'll lose about 3 hours of my day and I'm ok with that. I will be FREE because hubby is now leaving for his Bible study (6:20AM) which starts at 8AM, and I'm leaving at 10-10:30AM and he may not be home yet and won't ask to go with me. It will be just a turnaround trip for me. Get there, find the equipment, wait for the director, hand it off, get my things - and head back out the door and hit the road again. I've already told both bosses I won't be back online until afternoon. They are ok with it. Unfortunately, I lose a 1/4 tank of gas doing that trip! Well, it's all highway driving so it isn't bad.
So I don't see retirement in my future just yet. It doesn't really matter. I would lose more of my 'freedom' that I have now if I did retire. But I would get to read more, and make more things. I just couldn't get out of the house to do things. I want to volunteer at a hospital and rock babies in the NICU. I want to make a difference in someone's life. I want to.... do so much more than just sit at home. So, for now, I work. It's up to God if I can live long enough to make memories after I can retire. My life is in His hands.
So - if you had a chance to retire - what would YOU do? What difference in others' lives would YOU make?
Something to think about.
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