Life today is much less hectic for my wife and me as we embrace our retirement years. Looking back to our beginning in the mid-seventies, we married at 19, bought our first house at 21, and welcomed all five of our children by the time we were 25. Most of our high school friends, aside from a select few, are still close to us today. The reasons for this enduring connection are numerous. Much of it can be attributed to our shared experiences related to where we live, our career paths, our children, schools, politics, sports— or a lack of interest in sports—and, most importantly, our willingness and effort to stay in touch through it all.
Looking back as a city kid growing up on the streets, the friends I met during that time seemed like they would always be a part of my story. However, in reality, they were just a chapter or two. I realized this when we moved to the suburbs, transitioning into 8th grade, high school, college, and then navigating relationships and everything beyond that, moving on to bigger and better things.
If you’re lucky enough—like I was—to find your soulmate, you often share common interests, desires, and values. This connection leads to the beginning of married life, having children, forming relationships with neighbors, moving, and experiencing a variety of changes. To be honest, most of our friends were also moving on with their lives during this time.
As your children go through various stages of life, experiencing milestones like moves and having grandkids, you also face the loss of parents, relatives, friends, and siblings. You may learn about the passing of coworkers and schoolmates primarily through the grapevine. It becomes clear that as you approach what seems like retirement, it may never actually arrive. However, when retirement does come, it gives you a completely new perspective on how the clock of your life continues to move forward.
Point to Ponder: I suggest finding activities that you enjoy, both alone and together. When my wife retired a few years after me, I definitely helped her adjust to this new phase of life. Once you retire, your way of thinking changes; for example, you no longer have to limit banking, shopping, or exploring to the weekends. You’ll discover that doing these things during the week is much more relaxing and enjoyable. Additionally, it’s beneficial to find friends with similar interests. For instance, friends I’ve met at the local pool get together once a week at the drummer’s house to play music, which is more convenient for everyone.
Our oldest son, Dan gifted me a wine kit for Christmas, and now, 17 years later, I still enjoy making wine from kits sourced from the best wine regions around the world. One of the most enjoyable discoveries I made about myself during this time was my love for writing, a passion that began back in college at St. Joseph’s University (The Hawk Will Never Die) when I took an English Composition and Literature class. To be honest, my enthusiasm for writing was likely met with some chagrin by my editor wife, sister, daughter, and especially my professor, whose name has unfortunately escaped me. Unbeknownst to him, he sparked a creative fire within me. My writing journey started with a dare from my oldest son to write and submit a poem, which was accepted in October 1991. The poem was titled “Fall Garden.”
I am currently in the process of publishing my third book. My first book, published in 2013, remains in print in eBook and audio formats. It is aimed at kids and grandkids, sharing my memories of the holidays in Philadelphia. The title of the book is “A Glimpse from Christmas Past.”
Then in 2014 a childrens book currently out of print called…Keira in the Mirror
Coming Soon! my third a holiday season legacy story which is sure to appeal to the Hallmark Movie audience called…A Chance Encounter with a Most Unusual Acquaintnce
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