Five Years

One of the best days of my life occurred five years ago, yesterday. The day began with a visit to my hairdresser. She did my hair for my retirement party, complete with a few gems to go with the theme. I left there and went to see my friend in the chemo department. She was receiving her treatment, and I think she had put on some kind of show since there were several shocked medical staff standing around her. I just said, "whatcha been up to Jess?". She brushed it off and they eventually went away. According to her, we weren't going to talk about anything health, it was about me. Jess made sure everyone in the department knew I was having my retirement party that night. I felt like a Queen. I left there and went home to get ready for the big event. My dear friend picked me up and that was the first I knew we were headed to the Lady of the Lake. 

My retirement party was the most beautiful event I have ever been to. The organizers did a "Glitter and Gala Dinner", and it couldn't have been more spectacular. When I saw my co-workers, all dressed up glittering next to the Christmas Tree, I knew I would never forget that sight. Absolutely everything was just perfect. It is humbling to know that this group of women, honored me by wearing their style of glitz and glam. Some had traveled a fair distance. Some had gotten ready in their offices. Everyone had been extremely generous towards my retirement gifts, and the list goes on. It just warms my heart every time I think of that night. I hope everyone has a special memory that you hold tightly close to your heart, just like I do of my retirement gala.  

Now here I sit writing of an event that is still as vivid in my mind as the day it happened. I worked at the University for 13 years, and I have to say I couldn't have ended my career with a better job. Being able to share my knowledge and beliefs about nursing with eager new students was wonderful. The students reminded me why I became a nurse and stayed a nurse for so many years.  

Little did I know at the end of 2019 that I was not only walking away from a 43-year career in nursing, but I just dodged the biggest career challenge of my life. No one knew at the time that the world was about to endure a pandemic. I am just so grateful I let my registration go and never questioned getting it back. It was time. Nursing during the pandemic was something I wanted nothing to do with.  

I had a two-part retirement, the first from nursing in 2019 and the second from my home-based healing business on November 19, 2021. All those years I had paid into financial retirement programs was now coming back to me. To have money show up in my account made me realize you are in retirement girl.   

Although I thought I was ready for retirement, I found it confusing knowing what I was supposed to do. I only knew how to get up and go to work. I didn't have a list of things to do in retirement. I had a plan, and it was: get a tattoo, start a retirement blog and join CrossFit. That took two years to do, two years for 3 things!!!!! It is really a good thing the list wasn't much longer. 

How do I describe what retirement is like for me now. Well, I don't get up anymore and try to figure out what I am supposed to be doing. I am content with just drinking coffee and doing my thing for half the morning. Every night when I go to bed, I think about the fact that I don't have to get up in the morning, I can sleep until I feel like getting up. So why is the feeling like getting up can occur at 4 or 5 am???? I remind myself that I can always go back to bed if I need to, because I am retired. 

It took two years to get to the point of recognizing I truly am retired. Retirement for me is, being able to do what I want when I want. I eat what I want, I spend what I want, I have a long list of things to do, when I want. I do have a bit of structure, but very little. I see I am developed a routine in that I go to the gym twice a week, I paddle when in season, and I volunteer once a week. I have joined a Monday afternoon coffee group. It feels good because all those things have a different group of people, and they are my community. I get great pleasure out of planning projects and helping out where I can. 

I was never afraid of retiring. I feel like I have landed in retirement, and I really love it. Retirement is a rite of passage. There are days when I am so grateful I am not responsible for sick people, I just don't have it in me anymore.  

As I reflect on how quickly the five years have passed and what a good place I am in, it makes me realize, retirement is what you make it. My advice is to make it a good one!