A One-Person Retirement Party

Well, officially it's been two and a half months since my retirement from my job. I've taken on a remodeling job in my master bathroom and bedroom. That's completed. I've cleaned closets, made room for Christmas decorations that's been sitting in boxes and plastic containers in the corner of my dining room. I ask, "What's next," as I scan my surroundings.

Summer's over and the kids are back in school. On several mornings on the drive back from bringing my daughter to school, I've called some friends thinking maybe we could do breakfast or something, only to realize or after being reminded that they were either already at work, or on their way to work.

It has finally dawned on me that I am not even fifty years young and yes, I'm retired. That's not the problem though. The real problem is that no one else in my friends circle is retired. Therefore, unless they're on vacation, or other type of leave from work, I'm left by my lonesome to eat breakfast, go shopping, visit the casino, whatever I'm in the mood to do.

If there's one thing I miss about the workforce, it's sharing morning coffee with coworkers and friends, people that I've done this routine with for many years. Now, don't get me wrong, they couldn't offer me double my salary to return back to the workforce. There's a saying, "You can't miss what you've never had." But, in a small and significant way, I do miss that interaction.

My coworkers and I would use that time to catch up on the happenings in our community, share tidbits of gossip from either in the community or work or just give updates on our kids, whether funny stories, their accomplishments, or lack thereof. While these could certainly be classified as 'little' things, that we've all taken for granted, it's on days like today I can say those little things have moved over to the category of being priceless.

In spite of my sometimes lonliness, I'll survive though. Those moments are certainly not enough to make me want to return back to the workplace. The moral of this story, enjoy what time you have with coworkers, especially those who are fortunate enough to fall in the 'friends' category. As with most things in life, everything must come to an end.