When I first retired, I was a little nervous about what I would do with my time. But to my surprise I realized I was totally burned out from getting to work before three a-m for years. So, for the first three months I did nothing but read novels - maybe about 20.
I did suffer a health issue soon after I retired, but the good news is I'm getting better. The better news is the last twelve months have been filled with family joy. My daughter, Shannon, and her husband, Josh, gave us our first grandchild in October. Then in January our son, Chet, married a wonderful young lady, Angie. Our family has expanded and it's great. Now, if I could just get all five of them to live next door to us.
Having this last full year off has given me a lot of time to think about my life and the one word that keeps cropping up is "grateful." Grateful for my wife, Linda, who has been my rock for more than 35-years. Grateful for my two wonderful children and how their lives have turned out. Grateful for a long and successful career, and grateful for all the friends who we have in our lives.
To all of you who are nearing retirement, I think you will enjoy it. It gives you a chance to exhale and relax. One friend (who retired early) told me a few weeks before I retired: "don't be afraid ". He was right.
Bill Ratliff
No comments:
Post a Comment