WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 - WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 - RETIREMENT GONE WRONG

Have you ever had a trip where everything went wrong? I’ll use the trip of Bob and Shirley - friends from my bridge group (but with just a little embellishment)

Bob and Shirley have been planning a European trip for a few years. Shirley had found some distant relatives in Belgium. They laid out exact details - when they would be in Belgium, and when in Germany - and when they would be in Munich, Berlin, and then Austria.  

(Okay - an embellishment). On the way to the airport, they had a flat tire. Fortunately, they allocated enough time - but getting the tire changed took some of the fun out of the trip.

Their plane was late leaving the Austin airport. The plane made up some time getting to Washington, D.C. but lost some time flying around storms over the North Atlantic and arrived late in Frankfurt. They had to get from one terminal to another to catch their flight to Belgium. On the moving walkway, Shirley tripped and broke her leg. (Not an embellishment - truth). They missed the flight to Belgium. The medics at the airport gave her a thorough check and said, “We can fix it, but you’d be stuck in a Frankfurt hospital for a month.” (not the best vacation spot). The advice was to get on the next flight back to the United States and back to Austin and get your broken leg set. You’ll be in your own home. You will need to come back and forth for physical therapy, But you will be in familiar settings where everybody speaks English (or most everybody). 

So, in pain, they got on a flight back home.  

The long-awaited trip to Europe, the plans to visit distant family members, and the various sights - were all canceled. 

That would have been expensive for many people - they did have flight insurance and were financially able to get home. 

That opportunity may come again in a couple of years - or not. Shirley is doing well with crutches.

*****

As they say, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

*****

Now, let’s take a parallel situation - retirement (namely - my retirement).

I wasn’t quite ready to retire when I (we) moved to Texas. But, one of the desires of my heart was to have grandchildren - and at age 66, our daughter and son-in-law blessed us with TWINS. So, off to Texas as grandparents - a glorious time!!

But then, like Bob and Shirley, things went wrong. I taught for three years - some full-time and some part-time at the University of Texas.  

I had dreams of retirement. Traveling was at the top of my list. I’ve been to all states except Alaska - that was top of the list. I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Glacier National Parks (and the Utah parks - Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capital Reef).  

Second on my list was spending quality time with our five grandchildren!!!  

But, starting in my last teaching semester, my brain started to flip (I’ve written about that elsewhere).   

And, my goals were NOT the same goals of my wife. (I’m still not sure what her plans were).

***

Aside. When I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - three houses south of us were Howard and Mary Buxton. Howard retired and, within a year, had a heart attack and died. That stuck in my brain (but not enough).

I had a significant, life-threatening problem within my first year of retirement. BOOM - I had major surgery. Unlike Howard Buxton, I survived - but the surgery left me with depression. I was encountering resistance at home - and that led to a divorce, moving out, and what was a reasonable retirement amount split between two people.

I considered suicide and was hospitalized for four days for that. (I don’t think I could kill myself).

*****

I haven’t been to Alaska, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, or other National Parks five years into retirement. My income has gotten tight as I have spent money on other items.  

Like Bob and Shirley’s trip to Europe, my plans got sidetracked. My problem was my aorta, and her problem was a broken leg.  

At this stage (age 76), I’m not sure I will travel like I planned. I had thought about driving to the Grand Canyon and the Utah National Parks - and camping (which would be easier on my tight budget). 

As I age, some plans have become dreams rather than plans. And dreams seem to be heading to wishes.  

Is it vital to travel? Not really. Will I go into depression since my plans aren’t happening? No.

I think of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “In EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS.” 

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, OCTOBER 25, 2023