I worked for the same company for 42 years and retired early at the age of 58 after being approved for disability following several surgeries. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy then, nor do I now; it’s simply a fact of my life.
From the time I was young enough to push a lawn mower—when electric mowers weren’t typical—I always found ways to earn money. I’d rake leaves in the Fall, shovel snow in Winter, and fill in for my friends on their paper routes, mainly during the Summer. My parents used to share a story about me: even before I started school, I was only allowed to play on our block and on our side of the street. I would wait for people getting off the bus in the afternoon and offer to keep them company for just $0.05, but only for the length of our block. Yes! You might say I was a real entrepreneur.
Upon entering retirement in 21014, I recognized a profound need to engage my mind and fill my time meaningfully. I took up making my own wine, playing music with friends, being the go-to for dental appointments, doctor visits, sickness, and early outs or days off school for my grandchildren. Yet, I was still always looking for something more. Reflecting on my college days, I recalled how much I relished my English Composition and Literature classes, for the act of writing a story. It certainly wasn’t for my mechanics of grammar, for which I owe a debt of gratitude to tools like Grammarly, and spell check these days, but especially for the invaluable support of my wife, my sister Mary, and, recently, our daughter Kate, who have all played a crucial role in my editing journey.
It’s important to mention that aside from a poem I published in 1991, I had sidelined my creative ambitions in storytelling. However, in 2013, with three grandchildren and two more on the way, a spark of inspiration ignited within me. I decided to craft a story specifically for our immediate family—my intention was to create a Christmas tale that would capture the essence of my childhood and pass on the joys of those experiences to my children, just as I had begun to share with my grandkids.
Encouraged by my family’s enthusiasm during my first reading, my Philadelphia holiday story, “A Glimpse from Christmas Past,” was born—an endeavor to not only entertain but to weave a tapestry of cherished memories that would resonate for generations to come. It has been made available to most libraries in Philadelphia and to many in the surrounding counties. It has been featured in The New York Times Book Review, Baker & Taylor, Ingram Books, and The Delaware County Daily Times, and has been purchased in many countries. Though not monetarily breaking even, it makes me proud as a peacock to know it has brought joy internationally and is still available at most Online bookstores: in Book, E*Read, or: http://www.A-Glimpse-from-Christmas-Past@Audible.com
Point to Ponder: If you have time to plan your retirement, focus not only on financial aspects but also on how to use your time in a way that makes you feel valuable, happy, and productive. Consider pursuing activities that ignite your passion, such as volunteering at a local food pantry, Goodwill, a community center, a Recreation center, or a religious organization. You might also consider taking courses at a college, learning to play an instrument, or participating in activities such as tennis, bowling, sculpting, painting, creating stained glass, sewing, or volunteering through programs like the Red Cross or Meals on Wheels. The world of volunteering has endless opportunities. Find your passion and pursue it, as it’s certainly better than the alternative.
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