Happy Happy Wednesday. We made it through half of the work week. Good ole hump day! I hate calling it that really. But I won’t lie, I enjoy knowing that I only have two more working days of my regular job. My second job is however just starting. Valentines is upon us and its cakes, cakes, and more cakes. Dont we just work our lives away? I think that to myself every single day. In that same thought I find myself thanking my God above that I have the ability to work every day and I truly love the jobs that I do. Although stressful, my “real” job is something that I enjoy and the big bonus is that I get to work from home. My “fun” side jobs are baking and sewing. I’ve worked a full-time job since the age of 14 years old. At 47 I feel like its been long enough lol. However, the new adventure that is coming very quickly in our household will require me to work for several more years. Here’s the thing, even though that sounds so terrible, it truly isn’t. I’ve buckled down and am ready to carry on working every single day for a few more years.
A few years ago my husband came to me and explained that he was beginning to think about retirement. This meant it was time for me to find a new career. I needed benefits. I had worked in dental practices for 24 years and 3 years ago I made the transition to the company that I work for today. Yes, it was scary. I had to learn everything. I had to start at the bottom as the saying goes. Let me say, it was the very best decision I could have made. Had I know that I would have such great health benefits, retirement, and so much paid vacation I would have made the change much much sooner. I now work for a company that acknowledges hard work and have already been promoted twice. If you are a manager, boss, owner listen up! Listen real real close! If you have good employees you MUST make them feel appreciated. After all, what are you without them? I don’t think that means a constant pat on the back but, bonus’, promotions, raises, and finding a way to allow them to have a good work/life balance is key. Well it is for me anyway. Think about this, if your employees walked out tomorrow could you even begin to run your business. I seriously doubt it. All positions are important. From the bottom to the top. I thank the Lord every day for my job (or jobs). I say an extra thank you for the benefits and the opportunity to grow both my income and my resume.
Here’s our new big adventure…. Two weeks ago my husband signed his retirement papers. EEEEKKK! I’m so excited. He has worked for 30 years at FedEx Express. He deserves this more that any person that I know. He has worked so hard and so many hours. He lugged packages big and small up driveways and stairs for so long. He been in the rain, the cold, the snow, the ice, and the raging heat. He’s built relationships with so many people and has had to deal with more than a few that were not so easy. You know, people are rude. I could rant on about that for hours but, that’s another story. April 28th will be his last official day. We are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. So much that he wants to do and so much rest he’ll be able to get. The morning he was out the door to sign his papers I asked him how he felt about everything. His response was “It’s bitter sweet. I’ve done this for 30 years so its a little sad. I just cant wait to spend Christmas with my family”. Um go ahead and grab a tissue because I cried a little. Actually, I sobbed. Our holiday routine has been for me to go on to my family gatherings alone or with my son and he’d eventually join us. Tired and worn out but with a smile still on his face. These delivery folks don’t get to take off on the holiday. That includes Christmas day most years. They deliver all those gifts that we are waiting for because we procrastinated and didn’t order them until the last minute. Then its his fault because it didn’t get there right on time. So to say I’m over the moon about him having a calm, restful holiday is an understatement. Oh, and p.s. I am scared. For real.
Any change is scary. My husband and I have never been together all day every single day for more than a week at a time. We go on vacations together several times during the year and it’s wonderful. But, as far as him being here with me every day while I’m working that would be a no. We’ve just not had a lot of that in the past. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point where we can be together for the rest of our lives to just look at this time and say “oh no, what will we do”. Yes, that sounds awful but, it’s absolutely the truth. We love being together, but we are both very independent. So to be in each other’s face all day every day is a little scary.
If you are venturing into this chapter in your life, let e give you a tiny insight on what we’ve decided. My husband will only be 55 when he retires. I say if you can manage it, DO IT! We have known so many folks that waited to retire to not have many quality years or any years at all for that matter. Just this year we’ve know 2 people that have not been able to enjoy a full retirement. One retired and immediately started caring for parents. The other, unfortunately, passed away a year after they retired. I mean, NO. You work all your life to retire to that. If you have any ability to retire early and enjoy your life, do it and don’t look back. My husbands plan is to take an entire month off after he retires. To rest of course but also to tackle a few things around the house. Then he will find something that he enjoys doing and work 3 days a week. Three 8 hour days is nothing and he wants to stay moving. He plans to spend more time with his friends who have all retired or are also retiring around the time he is. He loves yard work so our yard will be beautiful. It always is in the spring, summer, and fall but I cant imagine how lovely it will be. He may volunteer some and he’ll try to book his band to play as much as they can.
Now, see. Not so scary after all. Retirment and aging is not a bad thing. Especially if you keep yourself active both physically and mentally. I remember my daddy saying to me “if you stop, you’ll stop”. In other words keep moving. Keep working your mind. Rest, absolutely but also move around. Ladies (or even gentlemen) if your partner is about to make the plunge to retire, don’t be scared. Find things to do that you both enjoy. Encourage them to get out of the house and do things. Help them find a new hobby. Don’t overwhelm them with a to do list. Remember this is your person. The person that you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with. Your lives together are starting now. Embrace it. Pray over it. Get excited about it.
Congratulations to my sweet Shannon on his retirement! And to any of you that are moving into this next adventure in your lives. You’ve worked for it. You’ve earned it. So now go and enjoy every little second of it. This life is just a little tiny moment so don’t waste one of them. Have a super blessed night!
Always……..Brooke
Uplifting, Encouraging, and Fun blogging. 