Unretired!

by Julie Grenness
(Melbourne, Australia. )

It seems like just yesterday. I awoke and decided, "It is time for me to retire!"

My path ahead changed. I had been looking after a geriatric. His end stage was quite demanding. Time passed, life goes on for the rest of the human race on Earth.

During that time, I was enabling a couple of tertiary students from overseas with their English. I worked online at home. I was thrilled for them when P's got them degrees.

So, that was that, I became a lady of leisure. No longer did I compete in the world of academia. Nor was I on call round the clock for a geriatric. I spent happy hours polishing any writing skills I possess, being the convener of the local writing group.

I did continue to participate in my no-obligation ladies' club of craft and coffee. Learning new patterns and handcrafts is good for our neurons. Our social supports are good.

Meanwhile, at home, I pottered in my garden, and relaxed with a pile of good library books, different genres and authors. Nothing wrong with that. The world needs more literacy, and exchange of ideas.

Now I approach nearly seventy decades on this planet. I reconsidered. Our noble politicians here Down Under altered the earnings for the pension. They want boomers back in the workforce, to share our expertise and life skills to overcome staff shortages.

Inspired, I advertised again as a Resume writer. I offered a special rate, a minimal fee for job seekers. I did receive a few nibbles, some red herrings. I wrote some Resumes. My clientele were pleased, and were grateful when they achieved job interviews. Air fist pump, attagirls!

I also advertised again as an English tutor. Slowly, slowly, until the next learning year commences Couple of nibbles so far. I do offer individually tailored tutorials, designed to recover students, to achieve improvements. Like my good old days!

Have you unretired? Like most things at our age, it is a case for "Use it, or lose it!"

Some days, I am still a lady of leisure. it is quite enjoyable in the evenings, to gaze at the sunset, doing nothing for a while. Other days, I write online.

There can be many ways to explore a new stage in our retirement path--unretired!

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