Friday Roundup

 Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. 

Author Unknown

Good morning, and a happy Friday to all.  his used to be my favorite day of the week, but now that I am retired, every day is like a Friday.  It has been like one non-ending weekend. I can't believe that almost a year has passed since I handed in my resignation in June and retired in July.  And, I have no regrets.  I may not have as much money as I did when still employed, but I have just enough to live on, and money isn't everything, and unlike a recent retiree, I am enjoying this time.  

She and I had a lot in common and were becoming fairly close when all of a sudden she disappeared.  One day I happened to run into her husband and asked what had happened to her.  He told me she had found a part-time job telephone soliciting.  It made her feel old going to a senior center, and she would rather be working.  

Well, it doesn't make me feel old in the least.  In fact, after being the only old timer on the job, it feels rather good to be the baby of the group.  I know that everyone reacts differently to retirement and to each his own, but after working for fifty years, I earned this permanent vacation.  I earned the right to 'choose' whether or not I get up and go out or lounge about in the bed.  This is 'my' time, and I cherish every moment of it. 

Yesterday I decided that I didn't feeling going to the center, even though the rain had not yet started to fall.  My body was tired and needed some downtime. Besides, there are no groups on Thursday, and the hour after bingo until lunchtime can really be boring.  Hubby, remembering how depressed I was over the winter months when I found myself in forced isolation, said, "But it's not only having a group.  It is about being around people." 

He's right, of course, but it's not the same as it was in winter.  I am busy now that I am able to get out.  I go to the Center Monday-Wednesday, and sometimes on Thursday, run errands or go to the park on Friday and Saturday, and Church every Sunday.  I've developed a small little circle of friends at the Church and each of us seems to have so much in common--a sick husband, health issues, an elder pet, etc...

... Dana's husband, a Vietnam war vet, has suffered from severe PTSD and been in and out of hospitals since the war.  But now that he has gotten older, it has become worse as he begins to suffer from senile dementia as well.  It has become so difficult for her to care for him. Recently she made the difficult decision of putting him into a home.

...Anna is a 3 years older than me and suffers from the same health issues--high blood pressure and obesity.  (Yes, I now refer to myself as obese.  No denying it anymore.) Like me, she arrives early every Sunday so we sit and chat in the lobby. We're both trying to lose weight and have become a strong support for each other.

...Margaret recently had to put her elderly dog to sleep so she knows exactly what I am going through.  She's there to support me no matter what. She, too, has high blood pressure and weight issues.  

You'll have to forgive me if I rattle on about the people meet. I talk about my friends because I haven't had one in a long time.  When I was working, my peers were my social network and being that I was 20 years older than the rest of them, it wasn't much of a network.  They did their thing, and usually I wasn't included.  I mean, who wants to party with your mother with you. (Sigh)  Most of my life I have been yearning for a friend, but either didn't know how to approach people or just didn't have time because I was so busy working. Finally, I feel like my search is over.

Thanks for listening to me ramble on.  By the way, remember not too long ago when I mentioned that I'd purchased a pretty plant, and when I went to transplant it to a larger pot discovered that all it consisted of was a bunch of pretty colored leaves stuck in a pot? No roots.  Well, I came across a picture of it.  Remember this one?

Now that I look at the picture closely, I see there is no common stem.  Should have known better.  Needless to say, I've done no further shopping that store. 

If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me. 

Author Unknown