Friday, March 13, 2020 – My middle school classroom, Friday the 13th, full moon, and the start of the toilet paper hoarding pandemic….little did I know this would be my official last day of my 30 year teaching career! One could say that this would be considered perfect timing for retirement. So many people have told me that. Yet, it wasn’t how I thought it would end.
When I finished my nightmare-ish remote teaching in May, I was relieved that THAT was over, but not my career. I thought I’d go out on a big blast; parties, dinner and drinks out with my colleagues, laughter and reminiscing. Instead, we had a parade around the parking lot at school with balloons and wearing masks for the retirees’ goodbye. There was another parade for parents and kids to drive by and say Happy Retirement! Actually, I loved it. It was personal and sweet, unlike the district’s big retirement luncheon that is usually held and that I usually dreaded!! At the same time, I did miss being able to say goodbye with hugs and kisses. I was going to miss everyone. Would I regret retiring?
The answer is a big NO! I always had summers off, so I didn’t think much about not going back to work. “Retirement” really didn’t hit me until August when my friends were getting ready for the new school year. I caught up on sleep (if you can actually do that), binge watched Netflix shows, and enjoyed hanging out with my two dogs. Covid-19 changed everything, however. My plans of traveling were halted. Hanging out with friends stopped. Hubby was working at home and I’m sure my dogs were sick of me! Did I regret retiring?
Again, the answer is NO! I was determined not to be one of those retirees that doesn’t know what to do or is bored. I knew I was limited in some activities that I was interested in doing once I retired in a pandemic. But I sat with myself and decided that if I was going to enjoy this time in my life, I needed to have a purpose, just like I did when I was teaching. So maybe this was perfect timing!
One of my new purposes is something I had talked about doing but never had the time. Twice a week I walk shelter dogs. These are dogs that haven’t been adopted or placed with a foster. I’m always happy to see them and I just love ‘em up! Besides them getting out and enjoying some freedom, I am getting exercise and feeling energized, relaxed, and happy. Of course, I want to take them all home! But I am happy when a dog is no longer there, because I know they are in a home!
So when I ask myself, “Was it perfect timing?” I definitely have to say a resounding YES! – with no regrets!
Editor’s Note: Adrienne is a talented contributing author to The Zone, and I’d like to thank her for sharing her inspiring retirement story with us. If you have a retirement or travel story you’d like to share, please reach out to Brian@LifeAfterWork.Zone.