Carol Howe

I chose to move from my townhouse, it was old, things were going, I was spending money for things not by choice, furnaces, windows, rugs, appliances. Time to move I told myself. Go where repairs are someone else’s problem. Go where a phone call will bring results. Sounds good, I was ready to move.

A new retirement development was just being built, near my son and family, sounds perfect, right. I saw, I liked, I sold my townhouse and moved. I was ready for the easy life, right.

Since I made this decision, I have gained 7 pounds, did not plan to, it just happened. For example, a knock on the door, and there is Anna with a slice of HOME MADE CAKE, I can’t hurt her feelings so I eat. Another knock and there is Peg with HOME MADE COOKIES. What can I say but thanks, and I eat them.

Now in this retirement home a get-together function is held monthly to keep us active and to mingle. What function is chosen, food of course, Pot luck dinners, breakfast with coffee cake, afternoon with ice cream, you see what I mean.

Then there is the problem of shopping trips, I mention to Peg about going to the mall and heads pop out of doors, the next thing is that I have a car full of willing neighbors to keep me company.

We share a lot, trips to the Farmer’s Market, can’t eat all that food, share with a neighbor. Doctor says you are sick, stay in, neighbors show up with soup, pudding. Have a problem, share advice. Need a hug, people willing. Lonely, the community room is the place to go. Things really happen there, play “hand and foot” a card game designed for pre-school, that’s right, we are in our second childhood.

During Memorial weekend, I mentioned to a neighbor we should get together for a picnic, I could make tuna salad. The next thing I discovered, 15 people were coming. We had homemade Dutch potato salad, ham, deviled eggs, by contribution, baked beans, tossed salad, pickled eggs, rolls, coleslaw, iced tea, homemade cake. Everybody had a great time. Well, that’s what retirement is about.

Nice thing about retirement, it doesn’t matter what you did in your job, where you lived before, how much money you have, retirement is an equalizer, we are retired, period. I am glad I made this decision, I have made some great friends, been new places, learned about other’s lives and needs and best of all, I don’t have to fix the roof.