The August Life of Retirement

Mount Evans, Colorado, has a majestic view!

August: Marked by majestic dignity or grandeur.

With the August heat baking on and the political season bumping along, I don’t have the will to write about anything serious, like the plight of vegetables in an increasingly vegan world or why the rabbit picked on our garden this summer.

But, I’m two years retired now and I would like to discuss the discrepancy between my retirement dreams and today’s realities. So here it goes:

Dream 1: Every day I’ll sit on the front porch in the sunshine and drink my morning coffee. I had this fantasy on summer days for 28 years as I backed out of the garage and went to work in chilly offices.

Reality 1: A swarm of yellow jackets is living under the front step this summer. They own the porch and they don’t want anyone parking there with a cup of coffee.

Dream 2: I’ll keep in touch with my work friends. We’ll have plenty of time to shop and do lunch.

Reality 2: Let’s see, maybe I can work lunch in a week from Tuesday, after my dental appointment and before…oh, you’ll be out of town for three weeks? And I’m surprised by new friends and interests at this intersection of life.

Dream 3: There’s no reason I can’t write a book a year and supplement my income.

Reality 3: People who write a book a year must have an in-house computer guru; a marketing firm; and no arthritis in their hands.

Dream 4: I’ll have plenty of free time and energy.

Reality 4: A dollar, please, for every time I go looking for my glasses or answer the phone to find it’s a robo call.

Dream 5: I’ll exercise every day and bake bread every week.

Reality 5: The people at my exercise place are always surprised to see me. My husband shops for bread every week.

Dream 6: I like dressing up and will continue to do so.

Reality 6: I can’t believe I used to wear pantyhose. Every day.

Dream 7: We’ll travel a lot.

Reality 7: We just got back from a wonderful trip to Colorado and California. It takes a lot planning and follow-up. Maybe one trip a year is enough.

So, I polled a few retired friends to see what they think. Do their retirement dreams match reality? What has surprised them the most? What kind of advice do they have for future retirees? Here are some of their tips:

1. There is incredible joy in getting up in the morning and being able to choose what to do for the day. This is the chance to be intentional about how to spend your time.
2. It’s great to sleep in for a while, but you might want to add some structure. Have a reason to get out of bed in the morning: read lots of books, play guitar, teach a class, exercise or run for office!
3. Keep a sense of humor when the other half is around the house a little more than you’d expected. Consider a marriage class to help you transition into this next phase of life.
   

   Two old goats having a snack with a kid on Mount Evans.

4. Spending time with grandchildren is a retirement bonus. If you don’t have any, rent some. Their fresh views on life and general cuteness will bring you joy.
5. Your income may be down just when you are free to have fun.  Check into national park passes for seniors, outdoor concerts, art shows, speakers sponsored by colleges or libraries.
6. Medical issues, yours or your spouse’s, can suck up a lot of time. Take care of your health (viva la colonoscopy!) but don’t obsess over it.
7. Your house may seem messier. Well, maybe it really is messier but, again, don’t obsess over it. Remember, those dust bunnies need a place to live, too.
8. Hang out with people who think young, like my 95-year-old friend who waved off my question with this comment: “Retirement? It’s not for me. ”
9. Remember, Moses was 80 years old when he was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. As long as you are here on earth, God has a plan and a purpose for you.
10. Relish the view from here, because you’ve earned it.

    Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright.” Psalm 9: 13-14