It’s now, like mid-afternoon on Saturday.
Wally looks up: “Dad, how about nap time.” He jumps up, tucks in, and drifts off.
I feel his little belly with each inhale and exhale. What a great sleeper. Prior to drifting off, I reflect on the last 48 hours — my 19th year anniversary at this stop, to the day.
My desk has been cleared of the work phone, the headset, the zoom lamp.
I turn on my PC to find Corporate Security has wiped all of my corporate apps and my system access. Just like that, gone!
The hum of 100-200 emails a day, conference calls, zoom calls, phone calls, road trips, presentations, strategy sessions, client meetings, staff meetings, back-and-forth commutes, etc etc etc has gone silent.
19 years. Gemini estimates the production and ingestion of 1 million emails requiring 1/2 Terabyte of storage.
“What’s next?”
“I can’t see you sitting still for long.”
I stare at the screen. My fingers tap on the desk, habitually reaching for the keyboard. No task. No task. No Task. No Task.
“How do you feel?”
Right now? Unsteady.
“So what’s the plan.”
(Try to)
“Sit still and let the world do the moving.” (Stegner)
It took me a while to get used to being retired. Wally will love it!
He’s loving it all ready!!!! Thanks Darlene!
It’s going to be a whole new rhythm to create, change, adapt, play with. And the great part is you are healthy and can take your time creating it!
Happy for you, D.K.
Thanks Dale. The only rhythm I have found since Thursday has been the couch!!! Thanks for the encouragement. Hope you are well.
Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that! …. for now 😉
I cannot complain and I am counting down the day (year?) until it’s my turn to find my rhythm!
Yes! We’ll be twinners!
Woot!
Some leisurely Wally posts would be nice.
So agree!!!! Thanks Anneli.
OMG!!!!!! Any ETA?
Last active day was last Thursday!
That is driving you crazy! It does give you a mini glimpse of of how nice retirement is.
Yes!
How did I miss this news?? Congratulations and well done! 🙌 If it is any consolation, I am exactly the same person I was before retirement ( which is rather disappointing) and I’m just as busy, albeit minus the bureaucracy. Looking forward to following this new adventure of yours. 😊
Thank you Sharon. So glad you are the same person. And it’s time again to thank you for the leg kick into PT. My back and leg have never felt better since I concluded PT and continue with my daily PT exercises at home. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Welcome to the ranks of the Retired. I’m a few days short of 1 year and it did take some adjustment, I am happy to report that my wife and pup Cooper are quite happy with the situation. Best of Luck to you, the family including Wally!
Thank you Vance. So glad that Retirement is going well. All the best to you. Thanks for dropping by.
Make a list of the things you love to do…
Make another list of the things you would love to do or try but never have…
Follow your heart…
Follow your instincts…
Pick one…
Take your shot…
Does it bring you Joy?
Repeat when it’s time to try something new…
Love this Paul. Thank you! Hope you are still in Texas and missing this Blizzard!
I am indeed still in Texas.
I have met a woman here in person for the first time who I have been penpals with on Facebook for 18 years.
Wouldn’t wanna live here, but I’m having a wonderful time with a special friend.
Lucky you!!!!
Indeed, I am… And grateful to be away from this unusually nasty winter.
Wow congrats on retirement David I had to at 50 then 10 years later tried on and off to do something anything.
I know one thing you can do on Monday is watch a wicked storm blow in your photos look so tranquil and so unlike mine.
Hug the pup a little more and embrace a few extra moments to yourself.
I will do exactly that Eunice. Thank you!
Stay safe down there it is possibly a wicked one coming in late tonight.
Thank you. All quiet so far!
I so relate – professional service firms run on playing hurt and responding substantively to all of these emails, meet with people and put out fires. And there is the expectation that you will get some work done. The idea of no longer being pushed, pulled, prodded, charged, encourage, stops cold. Congratulations< Dave – I know you served your time well. Expect some dissonance – the rhythm isn’t established yet. Take your time, you’re no way near done.
You have described it so beautifully. Yes Mimi. That is me. Thank you. Appreciate you.
Right back at you, my friend. Grateful for and appreciate you
Congratulations on your retirement, Dave. I guess it’s time to get a new job…Walter is almost 90 and has continued in his ‘post retirement’ career as a woodcrafter.
Thanks Vera. Laughing. Walter is constructed of higher quality stock than I am. All the best to you, Walter and family.
Yes, it’s a major lifestyle change. First you think, how can the place continue without me. Eventually the frantic calls will stop. But you will be finding all the things you never had time for, lunches with friends, planning a trip, exploring towns and cities, birdwatching with an Audubon group. I bet you could write a terrific book. Ask your wife what is on her agenda. Perhaps sleep a little more (!) Life is so rich–enjoy your time, family, Wally and Sully.
Thank you. Yes, I can definitely see this path forward, yet reluctantly feel pulled along against my will, but that will need to change. And yes, Wally is excellent therapy. Thank you again for taking your time to share your thoughts with me.
Finally, David! What took you so long. Next project for you is “The Art of Doing Nothing” Wally would teach you. Now come visit me in Vancouver. I mean that.
Thank you Maria! I’m so overdue! Thanks for the offer!
retirement? … YAY 🙂
YaY is right! Thank you Lynne!
Congratulations, DK! It’s an adjustment, for sure, but I’m betting you’ll rise to the occasion. Much happiness to you!
Thank you Roseanne! Good to hear from you!
Happy retirement! 🙏♥️
Thank you Bela!
Watch out, Universe!
I’m sure it’ll be an adjustment, until you find your new center of gravity.
I appreciate you being an inspiration, even in my work life. You were one of a few real-life examples that we can work hard, and still be soft inside. Grind like a mule, and still sit on the side with a poem of 7 words. We can do and be both
Cheers 🙂
Awwww. You being so nice ni like retirement already! Thank you!
Don’t get used to it , the nice lol
Retirement is not bad for the older folks. The problem is when one of the older ones still thinks they are30 years younger. Or the reverse, won’t get out of the chair and begins to look like the chair. The title of you post expresses it well, thanks.
Smiling. Good to hear from you. Thank you.
Congrats!
Surely there’s a “second act”
Thank you. Sabbatical first. Then second act to follow (whatever that is!)
Is it my turn yet?
Blog requires no prior permission to comment unless one seeks to grandstand.
No grand standing planned! I meant is it my turn yet… to retire!?
Congratulations DK! I was a late arrival to the blog, but know that in years past, you gave your followers a glimpse into the daily grind of your work life through humor, sarcasm and reflection. Now we can look forward to your blog giving us a glimpse into the daily grind of whatever is “next”. Honestly, I hope it’s nothing except walking and taking photos. Your ability to capture the beauty of nature through your own awe and wonder is something you must promise to never retire from. AND if you try… Sawsan has asked me to gently nudge you back.
Congratulations again DK!
Well thank you Cara! Appreciate your thoughts. This was so beautifully written I need to ask: Did AI write this?
congrats, dk. I found it so funny when people panicked that I said my only plan was to have time and freedom in my retirement. I am very happy for you.
Thank you Beth. Appreciate it.
Congrats, David! Couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
I, too, am on sabbatical. After retirement, I “rewired” into writing. After creating and launching nine mysteries, I’m at the been-there, done-that stage, so I am pausing to refill the well. Looking at music, art projects, and some home renovations. All performative, non-digital stuff.
In order to become someone different (again), it is necessary to slow down and create space for the new to emerge. And then allow events to happen as they will.
But first, a well-deserved sabbatical. Enjoy yours and let life talk to you. It will!
Thank you Lakota. Appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Sage advice. Appreciate you. Dave.
Congratulations! Enjoy the moment and the future.