ALMOST RETIRING @55 Rat plan implemented and approved without adequate warning. For the affected majority, it was a blow. But for me, it was what Iāve been long dreaming of; to retire at 55. The thought that I would finally cease waking up early for work; the idea that I would stop hiking and mountain trekking and get exposed to too much sunlight during visits to coastal areas (ātwas a bliss during younger years though); the extremely daunting prospect of close despicable encounters with heads who are questionably antagonistic towards me that would now be put to a halt; made me feel an overwhelming excitement. So were my kids. Retiring would mean more quality time with them. I began imagining myself spending more time just reading or putting back to life my abandoned garden. Playing the guitar was among my passions, too. In fact, I was addicted to it before I got married. My very friend, who is like a sister to me, Marichu L. Smith , still vividly recalls when during exams, when we were in college, she would hide my guitar so that I would study my lessons instead of playing with it the whole time. I, gradually, but so sadly, weaned myself from it when I got married- when kids started coming up year after year and I had to take care of my husband. They monopolized my time. I wanted to retire long before my decrepitude and debilitating old age. I donāt want to wait for the retirable age- 60, when the pupils I work for, see me shrivelled and infirm and incapable of rendering health services to them. Golden years mean disease prone years. Certain things go down with age, you know, and that includes self-esteem. A bit of stress may worsen any situation. We can choose the way we age, though. But slowing the process down will mean foregoing some perks of luxury or taking conscious steps to counter them. During these years, our lives are hobbled by certain diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. Iām beginning to go through creaking of bones here and there, now and then. I try modest dietary changes like drinking water when thirsty instead of soda, snacking on apples or singkamas instead of candy bars or any sweets. But most of the time, I find excuses and indulge. Iām not so sure if I could still do what I long to do after I retire, either. Things seem not as easy as they were 10 years back. Can I still rearrange big rocks in my garden; till the soil in squat position without struggling when getting up; or use the shovel? Even sweeping the floor induces pain to my hand. The answers are anything but dear. I, enthusiastically tried strumming the guitar I gifted my son, few weeks back and to my dismay, my fingers hurt when pressing the strings to play a tune. It produces a dull sound if not pressed properly. Shattered dreams! I suppose, Iāll just be contented singing along a videoke. After moments of reckoning and thorough contemplation, I decided against retiring. My youngest is only 10. She would hate me someday, soon, that I brought her late in my life. āGod, grant me eternal life, and if possible, eternal youth, as well.ā Well, if God hears me, it would be unfair to those who donāt pray this way. And God is always fair. Now, Iām settled with the thought Iād be working until Iām 60, against all odds.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:15:31 +0000
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