There were elements of uncertainty about how the matter of possible retirement would impact our day-to-day lives.
Horror stories regarding significant health issues, feelings of worth and sufficiency of income during the "back nine" years of our lives were all factors to consider before pulling the employment plug. Anxiety about this new season of life was real, where measurements of "doing well" would not be easily defined and no longer provided in workplace evaluations.On the other side of the ledger were the anticipated positives associated with calling it quits, from spending more time with the grandkids to the pursuit of "bucket list" possibilities with that special lady who answered "yes" to THE question 40 years ago.Taking on a new variety of activities, as well as establishing relationships and cultivating existing ones, might offset the pertinence-of-life issues suggested by supposed experts.Decision made. The dotted line signings on HR documents were made in December 2010. ¡No mas! The gatherings of friends and co-workers to say "good luck" and "well-deserved" made it official. Bring on the discussions regarding what constitutes relaxed clothing for the day and negotiations regarding ESPN gazing hours.Let the new games begin!Folks who knew about such things told us the 20-plus retiree years would be carefree and exciting, the portion of the American Dream where travel extravaganzas and teeing it up twice weekly would become the new norm.What we wanted to be characteristic of our new lives was a positive approach to matters of significance, a continuous seize-the-remaining-years mentality -- whatever that meant -- about the time God was providing us.I was fortunate during the past three years to mentor a student at Gilliland Elementary School in Blue Mound. The Kids Hope USA program establishes a relationship with a school-selected child during a one-hour weekly meeting. Activities during the 60 minutes included assisting with classroom subject deficiencies, "hanging out" to play board games and making efforts to cultivate positive character traits.Contact away from school was dependent upon the relationship with the student's family. Ours was a good one, with periodic visits to his home and planned activities together. Times together included Rangers baseball games and a day at the Dallas Aquarium.Mutually beneficial? The jury remains out regarding the impact the relationship had on my mentee. Such determinations are frequently not realized for years.As for me, it was quite the experience. I came to better understand some of the dilemmas kiddos encounter these days, from on-campus bullying to an array of home concerns that were never a part of my youthful years.Recently added to my retirement activities is volunteering with the Birdville school district, a process accomplished through completing an application and passing a criminal background check. I assist a third-grade teacher Wednesday mornings with her students at Major Cheney Elementary School. We read together, emphasize the value of our lives and commit to making the school-year journey a positive undertaking.Principal Han Arthurs has been at the school for 10 years."The willingness of teachers and volunteers to jump in and deal with particular matters beyond the scope of regular school subjects makes this place special," Arthurs said in response to a question about why she loves the school. "They all wear so many hats, and the kids are so appreciative."One year has come and gone since the retirement decision and the major down-shifting of routine. Second thoughts? Absolutely not! A big dose of enthusiasm with family, friends and "my" students has been the antidote for the suspected demons of pertinence and worth so commonplace in the life of a retiree.David Friant of Fort Worth is a member of the 2012 Star-Telegram Community Columnist Panel. dave.friant@att.netHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
