I woke up this morning with a new revelation. I am happy. Did you hear me? I AM HAPPY! How often have I been able to say that over the years? Don't get me wrong, I have been extremely happy raising my family, spending time with my friends, building a life with my husband. That's more of a "universal" happiness I guess. On a daily basis, however, how often can one get up in the morning and say, "I'm happy!"? During my 32 years of teaching I generally woke up feeling #1 tired, #2 tired, #3 leery of what the day would bring, #4 rushed, anxious, and overwhelmed with having to get out of the door on time, #5 worried, #6 tired, tired, tired......
I'm talking about a personal, one day at a time, "happy". I know you may be thinking, "yeah, that's easy for you to say, you're retired" It's true that I don't have to face the daily grind at this point. That helps. But that's not to say that there aren't concerns associated with being retired. For one thing, I have no money! Retirement comes with some pretty hefty financial sacrifices. There are certainly worries associated with that. And loneliness, I know that I will wake up some mornings in the Fall and wonder what my former colleagues are up to and whether or not I'll ever have any one to talk to again that doesn't have four legs and a tail.....
I have to say, in spite of those things, there is something purely wonderful about waking up with your own company, planning your own time, appreciating your own garden, dancing to Ellen De generous with your own canine pal, and just plain enjoying the day. We don't often get a chance to do that while working full time. Well, I did that working thing for a long time. I paid my dues, earned my retirement and have to say that today I feel truly blessed. Blessed, and happy...........
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