There's Always Something...

Retiring with Purpose...

I'm not sure why people ask me about the secrets of happy retirement. Probably because of my former occupation which supposedly qualifies me as a bona fide "wise man", though, if truth be known, I don't know much more than the next guy.

Anyway, I usually give the classic new age reply; "follow your bliss" - but with slightly different wording. Many of my former parishioners advised me during my final year of work, "learn to say "no", then say it. Very good. Very wise. But not always that easy to pull off.

But those are the two principles I have followed in the "golden years". Bliss and thoughtful discipline.

As far as the bliss part is concerned, I have been blessed with several passions that consume my waking moments. Home and family come first, and easily so. Church, of course, remains vital, though I find it easier now to pick and choose when and how I participate. Very nice!

Writing, making pots, cooking good stuff, reading, photography and exercise are consuming passions that jostle each other for a portion of my soul and daily schedule. Not a single one of them fails to create excitement and fascination. They do have to take turns. I'm a bit like a hungry mule standing in a barn between several bales of hay. My chief problem is which bale to nibble on.

As far as the saying "no" is concerned; this is complex. I've never known an activity or a passion yet that didn't want or sometimes demand your whole loyalty. Communities are notorious for claiming to be "family" and setting forth agendas that subtly require one's presence and loyalty. The key guilt producing phrase is "I haven't seen you lately!"

Then, aging itself builds certain demands into one's life. Doctors appointments, forms to be filled out, strategies to be revisited, contacts to be made. Examinations and treatments, of course. Getting old isn't for sissies and one must keep those demands in some kind of balance as well. A huge percentage of one's time can be spent on the whole matter of getting old!

Balancing the positives and negatives. Keeping a sweet spirit while coping with the reality of life's negatives. Living with other people's expectations without losing one's soul. Being able to converse with people without fixating on one's health problems. Staying out of arguments about politics, even when you have strong political leanings. These are just a few of the elder's challenges.

Then, sometimes we just get tired.

Oddly, I've found these days to be the happiest of my lifetime. Appreciating the past, enjoying the present and joyfully anticipating what comes next, whatever that may be - that's the best I can do with the aging riddle.

Annual Physical...

This morning I took my annual physical examination. We are very fortunate to have superb medical care and a team of physicians who are outstanding. After all the checking and listening and asking and poking he said I looked to be in excellent health. Unless the tests show up something unexpected I am good to go for another year.

I accepted these good words with customary modesty and good will. Considering that a week from tomorrow I will turn 80, I also received them with no small amount of wonder.

Jo Ann has finally recovered from her airline adventures. Dickens ate what the local coyotes had left of a rabbit just across the street and is, to coin a phrase, "as sick as a dog". Oliver is in ripping good health.

And that's all I have to say about the Bourland health status. Don't you just hate it when seniors get started on their health? And we generally do.

Long Trips and Sick Wives...

I'm usually the one who gets sick when we travel. This time it's Jo Ann. We've been home for 8 days now and she is in bed with a terrible cold. It has been a long recovery for her.

The intriguing thing about spending six hours in an airplane (one way) is that with all the fine technology available to the airline industry, one would think that recirculating used air for hundreds of passengers to breathe would have gone out with "I Like Ike" buttons. Not so. We breathe together or not at all. Scary thought. Tedious reality.

There's all this wonderful fresh air outside in Arizona today and I wish my normally healthy bride could enjoy it.

surgery and recovering...

Had a little surgical procedure Friday. I'd forgotten what it was like to be under general anesthetic. Well, recovering from it would be a better phrase. Grogginess. Some pain. Bleeding. Antibiotics. Swelling. Gradual coming back. Wondering what the tests will show. You probably know what it's like.

All in all, it's a humbling thing and I am doing just fine. Find that I'm getting interested in normal living and in general seem to be on the mend. At least in so far as I can tell.

I am very thankful for excellent medical care and for loved ones who are openly supportive. I am thankful for having good medical insurance. I'm thankful to be able to have a good life to return to - as the smoke gradually clears!