At Least They're Committed

Hallelujah, thank you Lord! I am finally honoring my first day of retirement! I say ‘honor’ because celebrating is either way in the past* or way in the future. Too much to do; too little time.

Amid all the closings and the insurance, the upgrades to the current home, and the tour of the state to look for a new home, I — like many others — have been seriously ill with a bronchial, well, something. And juggling these wide-ranging responsibilities with consistently caring for five of the grandchildren sometimes feels as if it could be the death of me.

But that can’t happen. It won’t. It’s up to God, of course, but as long as I am here, my retirement mission is clear:

1. Care for, protect and support the grandchildren.
2. Establish a new legacy and ranch for our (as in Darrell-specific) family.
3. Write

With the first two well at hand this lovely fall Thursday — having thrown myriad missions into the air and taking a deep breath before recapturing and addressing next steps as they hurtle back to me — this is my first day off and my first chance to write.

I shall seize the day. I can harvest! I can sleep! I can plan a nice dinner (T-bone steak, potatoes and Asian salad it is)! I can read! I can sleep some more! Heh.

It’s a lot, a lot, a lot. Yet, I am truly grateful, Lord, for these days. And, with Your guidance, I will make the most of them.

So, what shall it be? Hmmm, oh, I have an idea! Back to bed to heal and snuggle with the scruffy dog it is! Happy retirement, Tripping Raul!

*After I was unceremoniously laid off/retired from my position in higher ed of nearly 20 years two+ years back, my wonderful friends had a celebration at Blue Bonnet for me — it was very nice!