With my extra time, I found myself reflecting on ‘good times’.
I occasionally wondered if that was counterproductive to staying in the here and now.
With time, though, I decided that if savoring the past evokes a smile or a sense of gratitude, then have at it.
Think about it…I could relive laying a post-Thanksgiving siege with beloved cousins to San Francisco’s Playland.
Or I could take a quick glance at today’s cable news.
And so, retirees, join me in a few of my recent replays
–breakfast visits with one of my ‘hall of fame’ students, long after his year in my classroom.
–sitting back as fourth-graders G and W reorganize my class library.
–relishing those years of teaching when I looked forward to the excitement of Monday morning. [No Sunday blues in sight.] And the ensuing gratitude for the principal who saw teaching as an art that you perform with your heart. [Thank you, Bernice.]
–A glistening 75-degree Friday evening in May, 1965…Valley Center Merchants vs. Toro Park at the latter’s rural Little League field. Lightly attended [i.e. no mouthy fans]. Not a care in the world as the first pitch is thrown.
–Strolling the paved pathways along Lake Louise with my wife, after Sunday brunch at the Chateau.
So, retirees, give it a shot. Call up your own magic moments and enjoy.
Note: I retired for twelve months and learned plenty. I’ll be posting at least one stepping stone per week. Each of these lessons or impressions from that year off will constitute a mini-chapter of my book-in-progress.
Along with my book-in-progress, I’m also looking at setting up an online community.
If you’re interested… [Honest! I’m scaling back my ‘shiny objects’ list!]
A promise: Your email address will be used to inform you of the status of the book and community and will not be shared.