In late December, I ran into a friend, Alice Austin, I had not seen in probably 10 years. We vowed to get together once I retired to catch up. We met this morning for breakfast at Huckleberry’s in Natomas.
Alice and I met in 1993
when we both used the same daycare provider the year my Megan turned a year old,
and her daughters Jennifer and Jamie were nine and eight years old. The summer
Megan turned six, the girls babysat for her during the workday. We also attended
the same church for several years.
Over breakfast we talked
for two and a half hours about husbands, our now grown children, traveling,
house buying, divorces and life lessons. I enjoyed hearing and sharing stories about our grown daughters. I showed Alice a
photo of my daughter’s family in their matching PJs during the holidays. She
showed me Jennifer’s family photo from the holidays – yep, matching pajamas. Photos
of Jami and her boyfriend laughing. Such a joy to hear how they are making
their way in the world.
In addition to visiting
with Alice, I managed to fold laundry, cook dinner, help Joe with a UPS
shipment, meditate, finish an hour of hypnotherapy, play handservant to the
cat, balance bank accounts, and hang out at the machine shop with Joe for two
hours so he could finish a personal project.
I have no clue as to why people told me I needed a plan for retirement.
It appears there are all kinds of opportunities to do chores and be present
each and every day in this life without a set plan. No need to fret though as I
have plans to connect with friends tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday.
When Joe, Megan, and I
lived in Egypt in 2002-2003 I learned how to live at a slower pace. I spent my
days there interacting with the women I met from all over the world. I vowed
then that I would try to be available for friends when we returned to the
states. I did for a bit and then fell into my old ways of focusing on my career
and immediate family.
It feels really, really,
really good to have time with friends.
❤
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