When I retired in 2022 after 22 years as an academic administrator and instructor at a small private university in the Greater Philly area, my staff gave me a mug with a saying on it. “Retired – the best is yet to come.” I can’t say what came is “the best,” but I am enjoying the perks – even with the ups and downs.

I had often fantasized about what I would do when I retired. I would finally finish one of the many “books” I thought I would write; so much unfinished writing. (But, that’s likely every writer, even those who have actually accomplished completed works.) I would travel for extended periods of time because no longer confined to “vacation” days. I even fantasized about joining a Buddhist monastery, especially on those days when I was particularly stressed and feeling harried at work. I would volunteer for an animal rescue or some other community service organization.  

The fantasies haven’t come about, but I CAN say that what I appreciate most about retirement is having the time to pursue whatever I feel like, when I feel like. I have the freedom to pursue my curiosity, my desire to know, and to learn.

Most of the time, when I don’t want to do something, I can say “No,” just because I don’t feel like it. There are commitments that I have made – to friends, for social events, to a part-time job, to volunteer activities, mostly to caring for my dog. (Anyone who knows me knows that I can’t say “No,” to Pepper. She’s been my closest companion for over 10 years; pet owners know what I mean!)

I am obviously NOT in a monastery, but I am active with the Zen Center of Philadelphia. I have done some volunteer work with Pepper as a therapy dog. I’m not writing a book, but at least making time for the blog, when I can, and journaling. I’m in two book groups – reading as much or more than ever. I have traveled, but not as much as I wish I could. 

Still, my time is MY OWN. This morning was fairly typical for me these days; I really appreciate my morning routine and mostly stick to it no matter where I might be. Up around 7 AM, coffee and breakfast, check email/or read what’s come in on phone from the outside world, feed Pepper, go out for a quick potty, and now the new element of giving her an insulin shot. I meditate or do yoga every morning as well. This doesn’t always happen in the same order, but it’s the same, nevertheless.

Checking email is a thing left over from when I worked. Email and instant messaging was how I communicated with my student staff as well as professional staff and supervisors and colleagues – to get things done. I know that many people of my age get frustrated navigating so many emails and online sources, but I am, not only used to it, I enjoy it. And, I don’t feel compelled to open every single email or read every single notification or message. I think that’s what gets most people who are so tied to their phones. 

I keep up with current events, usually in Apple News. I really enjoy pursuing whatever I want to follow in any given morning. Today, I read a few short pieces in the New Yorker and from Hidden City Philadelphia – all before 8:30 AM. I had perused all the emails and notifications, skipped a few and deleted a few, marked a few to go back to at a later time. 

The New Yorker abstract that stood out to me was about the recent events at Stonewall in Greenwich Village. I find it very encouraging because I agree that attacking the LGBTQ community is not only heinous, but it is a community that won’t stand for harassment. Here it is:

What Just Happened?

This week, the Trump Administration ordered a large Pride flag to be removed from Stonewall National Monument in New York City.What’s it like there right now?“I just came from the Stonewall site, a few blocks from where I live. A large American flag now flies wanly in Christopher Park, where the rainbow one flew last week. If you want to see rainbows, however, there’s no shortage of them: a row of small Pride flags is affixed to the park gate, and the Stonewall Inn, which is a privately owned bar, has them hanging in spades from the windows, along with blue-and-pink transgender flags. I saw a hand-drawn sign taped to the park gate that reads ‘PRIDE FLAG GOES HERE,’ next to a little box with pins that say ‘Faggots against MAGAts.’ So, safe to say that this community will outlast this Administration by a mile.“This is obviously an outrage—an absurd one, a symbolic one, but a deliberate one. Local officials have vowed to raise a new rainbow flag in opposition to the Department of the Interior’s directive. Good. Stonewall is Stonewall because of a riot—more than anything, it’s a monument to defiance.”—Michael Schulman, a staff writer who has covered what happened to the bricks thrown at Stonewall during a police raid in 1969.

Not unlike what happened last week in Philadelphia and what is happening now at the site of George Washington’s house where the exhibit focusing on the enslaved people who lived there was taken down by the Federal Government. From CBS Philly – Crowd rallies to restore slavery exhibit.I can’t help but be concerned (that’s an understatement) about the horrific actions and behaviors of the current White House administration, so I’m usually following some story or other – something new and awful almost every day!

To maintain a balance, I’ll just go with something that catches my interest. This morning it was two posts from Hidden City Philadelphia. Reuse Plan for Wanamaker’s Grand Court Gets the Go-Ahead – I am so happy that space is being preserved. Also, from Hidden City, I learned about the Song of Philadelphia Podcast, which I cannot wait to listen to. 

I could go on, but I need to go about my planned Friday, which is to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Surrealism exhibit, which closes soon. (By the way, I am so glad the name change was reversed.) I do NOT want to miss it! Even in retirement, I find that I miss out on all the things I would want to do. In any event, while my fantasy retirement hasn’t come true, I know I will never be bored. Even though there’s much to be angry and sad about given the state of things today – an ugly American administration and the ugly remains of the snowstorm in Philly – a retirement like mine is not so bad.