Freedom
Three people asked me yesterday, “So how does it feel to be retired?”
I reminded them that I am not retired, but changing careers. But then I caught myself… yes, I am getting a monthly check from my former employer for the rest of my life. And yes, I will take the entire summer mostly off before I gear up to get the first book completed. So from the outside, I look “retired”.
Tho the better, more accurate, more interesting question is, “How does it feel to be free?”
It feels fantastic… one day in. I have a strong belief it will continue to feel that way a week, a month, a year, a decade in (if I am granted the time). But all I really know is what day one was:
- Deep satisfaction that my old job was completely over… no calls, no return, no worries, washing my mind of that past life
- Relief that the house closing occurred the same day… home ownership can suck so much time, money and attention from your life
- Satisfaction that our new home is mostly in place… this change could be viewed as scary, radical, but it feels very right thus far
- A peculiar heightened sense of the value of time… so many things to do, so many choices, when working… the days all strung together, my time was not my own… now it is, and it is so very valuable
- Peaceful, easy feeling… just like the song goes, I don’t remember being so totally relaxed
- Realizing again how much I like spending time with my wife
- An appreciation for how fascinating people truly are when you get the time to relax and observe (more on that below).
Yesterday we made our first trip to Pronto Pups. Superficially, it is a corn dog stand. Deeper, it is a 60 year Grand Haven tradition on the boardwalk. Always seems to be a long line. Yesterday was no exception with a beautiful 70 degree evening. A perfect time to people watch. The teenage skateboarding couple directly in front of us in line, young love. The coed ahead of them that got 6 corn dogs, and held four of them, streaked in catsup, in one hand like a bouquet, gripping one stick each by the gaps between her fingers and thumb, at the knuckles. Simultaneously eating two in her other hand (was she really going to eat all six?). Then watching her recognize and tightly hug a friend from school (how did she manage a hug holding six catsup loaded corn dogs without getting any in her friend’s long hair? … obviously a Pronto Pups pro). And later, sitting on the boardwalk, watching the people… several good stories there while overhearing the banter.
My developing characters need to come alive. A powerful ingredient in making it happen comes from observing life. Something I can now do with pleasure.
Yes, one day in… freedom feels fantastic.