Sunday, October 01, 2006

The Most Uncomfortable Question


I love my new life. When I stepped out of the classroom, the major stressor in my life disappeared.

The uncomfortableness arises when well-meaning young people, particularly my own kids, ask me if I'm enjoying retirement. And I'm sure they are pleased to hear how much I love it. But I know what they're feeling when they query me: "Retirement is so far away, I can't even comprehend it. The Lord will come before I clock out for the final time."

I feel for them. The deal is that I was right there once. I even remember one slow day in the classroom in the late '80's when it dawned on me that I had probably passed the halfway mark in my career. I almost floated the rest of the day, as though I had crested Everest and could now ski downhill.

Best advice I have if your job is tedious and stress-filled is recoup your zest and energy by really, and I mean really, taking refuge in your family. Carole and I poured ourselves into our kids...and suddenly the years were flying by.

And here I am.

6 comments:

Blake Perkins said...

I am almost 1/4 through my teaching career. It will be fun watching my kids go here (if I am still here)

I am Heather...creator of all things crafty! said...

it's so wierd to imagine being at retirement age, but when I was 7 it was wierd thinking one day I would be 34 with my own child....

Brooke said...

I hopefully will be "retired" to take charge of another job (parenting) soon.

I am Heather...creator of all things crafty! said...

Tim/Carole-Check my blog and please pray for Emery. Thanks. Heather

Blake Perkins said...

I have had many people tell me that this blog should be updated daily since you retired.

Tim Perkins said...

Blake: If I could get your 27-month old daughter off the laptop, I might be more prompt.