I believe that life is divided into 4 chapters. The first chapter
is from birth to 20 years of age where you learn most of your life from your
parents. The second chapter is from 20-40 where you’ve acquired just enough
knowledge to think you know everything. The third chapter is from 40-60 where
you realize that your parents knew more than you gave them credit for but you wish
they were still around to tell them. The last chapter is from 60 to the end of
the story where you understand how short life is and you want to enjoy and
celebrate each moment regardless of how trivial it might be.
I am now in the fourth chapter and it’s time to tackle another milestone. I started working
like most people at age 15 and 50 years later I am facing the bitter-sweet reality
of retirement. On one hand, I am looking forward to playing more golf, waking
up a little later and overall reducing my worry load. But with this new found
free time comes with the reality of no longer feeling like a part of a team. My
wife is my family which will always mean more to me than a team, but that
feeling of accomplishment that work sometimes provides can offer something
positive to look forward to on occasion.
In the US, we treat our elderly like an inconvenience or even
worse as invisible. I am not sure how I will face each day from now on, but I
will try not to lose my optimism, hope and sense of humor. I never want to be
one of those bitter people always regretting the choices they’ve made. So I
will walk through my retirement door with my head high, a good attitude and
share it with everyone I love.
