Several headlines in today’s news read on my iPad tell me not to retire. Retirement causes us to die according to various quoted high profile deaths. I can see how this could be read in the headlines. People who have stopped working die. The inference is that it’s being bored that does the damage and I can see how this could work....but if like me you just go on doing all the things you’ve always done it seems unlikely.
I have now retired several times, form teaching which was my proper job and since then from the church at various times. But despite that I am still working....just not getting paid for it. I haven’t had a wage of any sort since I gave up struggling with supply teaching. That seems a long time ago now. I had to stop teaching when I lived in North Wales because I was not Welsh speaking. Moving then to Essex I never had a full time job again, preferring to take supply work when it was available.
So my actual retirement was years ago. Becoming a priest in my old age meant work. But not paid work in my case.
I am I suppose still working to some degree...when I visit the old people in the next village it’s still counted as work....though it never feels like it to me. And that I suppose might be why at over eighty now I am still doing all the things I’ve always done.
I am lucky in this I know. Catching sight of myself in an unexpected glimpse in a window I don’t see an old woman...yet!
But I could just be kidding myself...and this could be part of the aging process itself. We are all different. I live in a beautiful place and travel regularly to see parts of the world that I’ve always wanted to see. This makes me a very fortunate old woman . I keep my car ready to go and dash out to see old friends and occasional new ones. Life is pretty good and that’s obviously a factor in this aging process.
So if retirement is looming...don’t worry....the secret is to stay active, feel involved, care about what’s happening in the world. It also helps to be able to travel a bit. Having something to look forward to matters....and the best reason for cruising I can find.
Happy retirement! And keep moving!
2 comments:
"Having something to look forward to matters". I do so agree Jean.
However much our horizons may have shrunk, and however small our pleasures may seem on the grand scale, Just being able to anticipate something, somewhere or seeing someone is key to survival.
Long may we continue to tick.
I retired for the 1st time in 1989 from my first Army career.
I retired for the 2nd time in 2009 from my second Army Career with the Reserve Forces.
I have to retire for the 3rd time in October 2019 as I reach 70 from my third, voluntary occupation as a Licensed Minister, but can apply to continue with Permission to Officiate. So, not really a retirement, three years at a time and keeping up with CMD and other stuff like safeguarding and DBS.
I could be Emiritus, but that doesn't appeal just yet. I might still be of some use to my parish. But I will be off PCC unless I am coopted. And in theory under the supervision and authority of the Area Dean, which I don't fancy, I much prefer the supervision of my incumbent, who I am getting on with very well.
So, hopefully I will have scope for a 4th retirement in due course, when I get too far gone to minister well.
I hope that I recognize when that is, or that I will be given a gentle nudge to tell me. God Willing I have something to offer.
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