FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Retirement. Relocation. Reset. Redo. Restore. Revive.

Years ago, I dreamt about retirement. 

What would that be like?

Would it be what I longed for after many years of work? 

Now. Now, it was time. 

The long-awaited moments to relax and do only what I wanted to do.  

The time was here. 

There was no relaxation in sight. :-) 

Weeks prior to my lifestyle change was consumed with finalizing instructions at the museum where I worked. Creating instructions for the next person to do the job that I had done for nearly 10 years. This included writing instructions, teaching my replacement, and cleaning my home aka the Gift Shop at the museum. It meant taking several dozen photos to store in my memories. Dinners and lunches with friends before making this life change was bittersweet. Leaving so many people I loved. Longing to restore friendships with people I had missed in the Midwest.  

Over 11 years I worked at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. 

First, as temporary help and ending my career there as the Museum Coordinator. 

As the coordinator, it is just a sweet title to reference the following jobs:

'Mom of the building'

'Caretaker of much'

'Gift shop lady'

'Tour guide' 

'Scheduler'

'Money handler'

Before landing at the museum, I worked for The Salvation Army as a bookkeeper, was unemployed for 2 years, attended two semesters of college, went through the Work Force programs for government-mandatory retraining; all the while helping others find jobs - the same jobs that I was applying for.  

Those earlier years were difficult and beneficial. 

Life challenges make you stronger. 

You learn much about yourself - things you wouldn't know if life was easy. 

What I gained was patience and perseverance. 

You did see the word patience, right? Well, that was the hardest of all. 

The struggles during those first years in Temple, Texas were excruciating.

Through all of it, I did build new friendships, learned new life skills; and that being angry or upset never ends well. (lessons for future posts) 

Now, 15 years after leaving South Holland, Illinois to move to Texas, I was going home. 

This time not to my hometown of Lansing, Illinois or back to the town I left, but a new location. Northwest Indiana. Fifteen minutes from Lake Michigan. The French word for The Door - LaPorte, Indiana. Stone Lake. This was to be my new home. 

Retirement takes time. 

It requires strength. 

It is often said, "it is not for the faint of heart". 

It is harder than you think it will be. 

Easier on days when you least expect it. 

Your past work experience gave you the training you need for retirement. 

The work is/was worth it.

Your rest times are better than ever before!

Life comes full circle. 

Fifty-five years is just a blink. 

Happy Anniversary to me on four years of retirement! And here's to the next four!