Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
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TITLE: Ah Retirement | Previous Challenge Entry
By Diana Richardson
06/06/09 -
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Just over a year ago I had a very full life, of more things than I had time to do. Stress was rampant. I had a job requiring 50 to 60 hours a week with a 3 hour commute and blood pressure going to heights unknown. My full life also needed to have time for God, husband, house, kids and grandkids.
I had long ago been artistic, too. Sewing, sculpting, doll making, etc, there were unfinished projects from ten years ago. Just sewing on a button had become more than I could find time for. I longed to enjoy the pleasure of creating with my heart and hands. Then there was that childhood dream to write.
It was time to retire! I’m old enough, tired enough and stressed enough. However I was afraid that I wasn’t rich enough. The stroke that was surely looming convinced me to do it anyway.
I retired and my full life was now empty, sort of. I spent some time taking a course or two. Spending time with the kids was glorious! I was painting, sewing and reading again, yes, even writing a little. My blood pressure was down, but money was more and more a stress factor.
So, taking a part time job with little or no stress had to be the answer. A retail sales job should be the perfect. When I applied, it was to be 10 to 15 hours a week. I’d still have time to play.
Then I got the chance to teach painting at another store once a week, OK, that will work out alright. Then the store wanted to add a kids painting class mid-week, sure I can do that.
One of the most important things I wanted to do was work for God. I teach Sunday class, help with youth convention competition, teach art in summer day camp, and work on the re-claiming souls, prayer and encouragement groups. Then those poor sick babies at the charity hospital need new blankets. I crochet those for the hospital as well as new babies in the congregation.
Then there is need to keep this old physical bode fit to do all this stuff. The problem is—the more I work at that, the more I need to do to continue to get results. So I work to get in the workout.
One year into retirement I have 24 hours a week on the job, blankets to crochet, three painting projects in process, in process of writing a Bible course, teaching kids camp, Sunday class, needing to learn more drama skills to use for the youth, obligated for more painting classes and soft sculpture classes. Now the grandkids are already calling for their summer fun days with Meemaw.
I guess I’m destined to have a full life. I don’t know why we fool ourselves into thinking this is retirement. I’m not even sure retirement is scriptural, spiritually speaking. Oh well, empty doesn’t sound like much fun anyway.
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