Still Working?
October 21, 2012
It’s not just friends and acquaintances. It’s anybody of my generation that I meet. If I say that I have a full-time job, people are surprised. (And maybe a bit jealous?)
They ask me if I am thinking of retiring. “From time to time, I think about it,” I reply. That’s a truthful answer. I do think about it from time to time. Just about every day.
On Friday, my department had an off-site planning session. Ideas about how we could do better were flying through the air. I was excited about new challenges and possibilities, new ways to serve the institution I love. I can’t imagine jumping ship when the sailing is so much fun.
But at 70-something, I’ll still think about it every day.
Go for it. I also loved my job but I hit retirement age just after the "I can get it cheaper from India" wave hit and companies were shedding their American IT workers as fast as they could so I retired. However, I have a skill and I am good at what I do so after a year of thinking about it, I looked for 501(c3)organizations who needed what I could bring. I have continued to do the work I love, make new friends, meet new people, find a purpose, and get lots of gratitude for being able to do so. It is a win, win for both parties. I intend to continue doing it as long as I am able. So good for you and don't let anyone tell you that you should retire if you are not ready to do so.
Posted by: Twin City Joan | October 21, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Dear Mrs. Kugel,
My name is Angelika and this year I'm going to write a MA thesis on discoursive construction of elderly identity in weblogs narratives and that't the reason I'm writing to you. I would like to ask you whether it is possible to use some short passages of your blog entries. Would you be so kind to agree to this?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Angelika
Posted by: Angelica | October 23, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Being retired does not have to mean that you have nothing to do, or as the woman with 7 small children told the census taker in an ancient cartoon, "I may be unemployed but I'm certainly not out of work."
Posted by: Nell Jean | November 09, 2012 at 08:21 PM