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It was a beautiful New Hampshire evening. After a hectic couple of weeks of out-processing, a retirement ceremony, a retirement party (which was truly epic), a couple of weeks in a hotel, then one last night in an airport hotel in Brussels as we prepared to go from the known to the unknown.
Fortunately, we were able to stay with my parents for a couple of months while I sought gainful employment. It was crowded, it was a bit contentious at times, but hey, that's what families do, right?
Now I'm getting ready to do it again, retire that is. After twenty five years working on naval combat systems, it's time to hang up the cleats and just relax.
It's a little weird. What's next? Well, doing whatever I want, which encompasses a lot of things. Music, history, writing, wargaming, visiting kids and grandkids, doing stuff with The Missus Herself, and bear in mind, we don't do honey-do lists. Some married couples do, we don't, if something needs doing we do it. If she wants to do something, she does it. There is no list of things that she lays out for me to do.
Her expectations are that I remain interesting, treat her well, and be a decent human being. If she is cared for, if we have a roof over our heads and food to eat, and time to enjoy things with other folks, it's all good.
But there is this little voice in my head that keeps reminding me, next stop is the end of the line, partner. So I won't be idle, I'm look at it as starting a new career as a writer. Heck, even if I don't get published and make money off of it, I'll still share it here on the blog.
If you folks enjoy it, that's all I need.
So yeah, weird day, kind of, weird feelings floating around in the old brain housing group, time to kick back. More on Uprising tomorrow, remember God is still in charge. Man proposes, God disposes.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
"Her expectations are that I remain interesting, treat her well, and be a decent human being. If she is cared for, if we have a roof over our heads and food to eat, and time to enjoy things with other folks, it's all good."
ReplyDeleteSounds like my wife and I. "Shelter of some sort, a little food, potable water, and regular access to sanitation facilities (bathroom with flush toilet and a working shower)." Found that out when we had to live in the Sunday school room at church for about 5 months. Have all that and you're better off than 75% of humanity now. I suppose it helped that we were able to pop into the church anytime we wanted with but about 60 seconds of walking. Same for the "Honey Do" lists - for the most part, each of us does what needs doing within our capabilities. There's an occasional, "Sometime in the next few weeks, will you (fill in minor task) for me?" But those are few and far between.
So, ENJOY! Play, relax, get to know the real you - without being held over a volcano.
I know the real me, he's a lazy sod.
Delete😁
Delete👍
DeleteGod is still in charge. Man proposes, God disposes. Proverbs 19:21 indeed.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteAh Sarge, milestone time......leaving your second career behind and starting a third. Don't think you have to worry about "if you folks enjoy it," this blog is my first stop every morning and reading it helps to open the eyes....... :)
ReplyDeleteGood to know, thanks!
DeleteJune 1st 1997 I retired from the Coast Guard, the 1st of June must be a good day to do that?
ReplyDeleteFWIW that "next stop is the end of the line" thinking is a bit inaccurate, it is actually the start of the next chapter in your life...something to talk about 25 years from now. The game is not over until it's over...
The next stop being what comes after retirement, it's all good.
DeleteSarge,
ReplyDeleteGlad you made the decision. Sounds like you made the right choice and you've got a pretty accurate vision of the circumstances of the change. I'll just add "From your side of the view it looks like the Grand Canyon, from our side it looks like a crack in the sidewalk." or "Damn the Torpedoes, full speed ahead."
Well done.
juvat
Won't be until the end of the year, but I'm ready.
DeleteI'm proud for you. You have done good, and that won't stop because you go forward into the next chapter of "Le Sarge du Vermont". Forge ahead and find the next Kewpie doll.
ReplyDeleteWill do!
DeleteHuzzah! Excellent news! I ended my federal indenture five years ago and they have been busy(!) productive and happy years. Please allow me to chime in on the "yes, we like your writing, do please continue" chorus. Very happy for you!
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Federal indenture, I like that. Seems fitting these days.
DeleteThank you for sharing these tidbits of your careers. Here's hoping your career as a writer goes even higher!
ReplyDeleteOne can hope, thanks, htom.
DeleteCongratulations! And repetition of a HUZZAH!
ReplyDeleteWe're all looking forward to joining you in your retirement through your addictive stories and book segments. This is great. Be sure you have something you like - to do. Don't relax, like you think you will. Priorities change. BUT... you be da boss!!!
Writing can be very relaxing. DAMHIK
DeleteSarge, darn it - suddenly the humidity in the room went up here for some reason I cannot fully attest to. This is wonderful news! Huzzah!
ReplyDeleteI suppose I am so emotional because I saw how much my father TB the Elder, got to enjoy his retirement - really, blossom in lots of ways (I would have never told him that. He would have had no idea what to do with it). Arguably doing what he wanted to do instead of what he "had" to do add years to his life - and good ones, too.
(With, of course, the clear understanding that the writing still continues....like others, this is pretty much my first stop of the day.)
Not there yet, but looking forward to it.
DeleteAs a side note, I loved the spam that showed up based on the title. AI hard at work looking for catch phrases.
DeleteThe bots are getting more sophisticated.
DeleteAnd now that you are going to retire (in 7 months...) it may make enduring work that much easier. Especially if the stupidity gets worse and you can eject earlier. Or is 25 years the best cut-off for retirement from your current position?
ReplyDeleteAnyhooo. Congrats.
I can leave at any time, it is good knowing that.
DeleteCongrats on the quarter century of collecting well earned benefits, and the impending celebrations of a successful second career.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to many more years of great writing to be enjoyed on the Chant where the price is right and the company congenial, convivial, contemplative and compassionate.
John Blackshoe
Hope the Muse decides to stick around and not go gallivanting off to the Aegean or something. 😉
DeleteEach of us are different (duh, Captain Obvious). I will never retire, whatever that is. My advice? Enjoy whatever you can as your health allows and spoil grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan!
Delete(Don McCollor). Congratulations, Sarge! The clock is ticking down till when the swing arms come back and the umbilicals fall away. To a new time when you feel you should do things, but don't have to do them. Do what is meaningful for you and what you enjoy. For lesser tasks, remember the Spanish "mañana" (tomorrow, in the sense of not the near [or not so near future]). My priorities are transcribing my Father's WW2 diaries and my Great-Grandfather's 1888-1902. Good luck and Godspeed!.
ReplyDelete"... when the swing arms come back and the umbilicals fall away ..." I really like that turn of phrase!
DeleteThanks, Don.
14 years today for me. I'm actually the one to make honey do lists, albeit short ones. She asks for them though to help her focus. She knows she can be a bit scattered so the list is a reminder. I tend to make my own lists as I get more accomplished if it's written down.
ReplyDeleteRetiring on June 1st must be popular.
DeleteI always figured you for a list kind of guy, you're very organized and it shows. Sometimes I envy people who can make such lists and adhere to them. I've always been far too spontaneous for that. (It's a very lazy sort of spontaneity, sure, but it's still spontaneity.)
Congratulations!! Enjoy every bit of your time! It is well earned! Best wishes and love to you both!
ReplyDeleteWe're not there yet. but planning for it.
DeleteThe comment above is by your Lex sister Robin!
ReplyDeleteHi Robin!
DeleteCongratulations on you well earned retirement!! Lists - I make them, ignore them or write things I've already done and then cross them off.
ReplyDeleteI make mental lists, so I don't waste paper when I get around to ignoring the list. 😉
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