April 9, 2026 Defeat

 I'm no quitter, but I know when I'm outnumbered.

I did not intend to bring up retirement again. I can see it's a worn topic, but per usual I need the last word.

Our big trip was cancelled, deposit returned. It was due to that Randy decided, rather than book another, he'd reside the building.  We still have shorter experiences in the books, scattered throughout the summer. We don't feel bad about that, we are not intrepid travelers with wanderlust in our souls. I'm a dyed in the wool homebody. Randy, it seems, is married to the shop.

What we have come to know in this brief period of what I had hoped would be a release from the pressure of running a business, is that it isn't being allowed to happen...and Randy isn't fighting it. I want to make it clear; I'm hopelessly disappointed, and upset I got my hopes up.

My dad died at 59. He never had the chance to rest on his laurels. By the time my mom retired, she was well into the claws of dementia. And here we are, both healthy, with a nice nest egg, and it's not coming true for us, either.

It would seem that a blue collar worker views retiring as a weakness, of sorts. They don't know how to take it easy, almost as if it's built into their DNA. Oh, it's slowed down, for sure, but the demands and pressure are still there. One call, everything gets dropped to address those needs and wants.

I've been made aware that since there is no one who does what he does, he will not be left to ride off into the sunset, leaving those behind in the dust. It's just not happening.

I'm now wishing I hadn't let my CPhT license lapse, and that my employment with Iowa Family Services is no longer needed. At least with those, I felt valued and rewarded for my contribution. Not that I'm wanting or needing a job; I spent my high school years checking out groceries and am not anxious to revisit that.

So, bring on the off-season wrestling tournaments, weddings and graduations, as well as, and most importantly, yard work.

You all know where to find me. ☘


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