Jennifer May
Personal Touch

With almost eight months of retirement now under my belt I decided to take a step back and list the merits and demerits of the beginning of what I have been told are my golden years.

If I am honest I have to admit I still have feelings of guilt about being home all day. Shouldn’t I be at work? It’s not as though I’m sick and what if someone saw me?

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I have to blame my parents for foolish thoughts such as these. The work ethic they instilled in me just can’t be turned off because I reached a magical age. I also feel I should apologize to people who say to me, “You’re so lucky, I wish I could retire from work.”

I am, however, getting better at this. I can now send my husband off to work with a smile, telling him to “Have a good day, have fun and be careful,” without cringing.

My cats have finally accepted the fact that they must share the home with me every day and even follow me from room to room as I fill my hours with housewifely stuff.

I actually enjoy having the time to cook “proper” meals, instead of rushing in from work and preparing something frozen and fast for the family. I made a much-asked-for shrimp curry recently for the man of the house, who, for the longest time had been dropping very large hints about one of his all-time favorite meals.

“Do you remember when you used to make a curry,” was the usual question posed by this man who accompanied it with a wistful look on his face meant to convey thoughts that he would never again enjoy the taste of this delicious dish.

Instead of mystery novels, I dusted the cobwebs from my stash of cookbooks and diligently read them, making lists of some out-of-the-ordinary dishes with which I could delight my family.

The last time I was able to spend so much time in the kitchen, I had two small children whose dinnertime battle cry was, “What’s this stuff?”

Unfortunately, we have made the decision to change our lifestyle when it comes to food, so only heart-healthy meals are on the menu. But that’s something else that’s so much easier to undertake when I’m not rushing to the store between leaving work and coming home.

Don’t think, however, that I am spending all my time cooking and cleaning. Actually, those who know me well, know that’s not true! But I am also finding great ways to get out and play. Afternoons with my pool buddies, a large beach ball and lots of hysterical laughter make for a lot of fun.

Occasional trips to Cypress Bayou Casino with my friend and cousin-in-law, Debbie May, to eat, listen to a great band and watch her and others line dance. On the last trip I even got up and managed a dance myself.

Aaaagggh, I thought that music would never end. I remember looking around the room during this trip, noticing all my fellow retirees clapping and laughing and I couldn’t help but think how much better this was than being behind a desk working. Not a scrap of guilt.

But then there are those days when, driving through town, I pass The Daily Iberian building and feel a little sad that I’m not part of the hustle and bustle necessary to put out a daily paper.

I also feel the necessity to get out into the community and volunteer my services in some way. I am still thinking in which direction to take this, but it’s something that will happen. Writing this column is the only connection to my former career that I have, although it has been suggested that I write a humorous book, something to which everyone can relate. As one lady who stopped me in a local grocery store said, “I love reading your columns, but it’s as though you’re looking in my window.”

Knowing this is something I can do in my own time also makes it very appealing to me. Which, I suppose is the real plus about being retired. Two of my very good friends, Susan and James Edmunds, passed on to me a very special clock when I retired. Hanging in my kitchen, this clock has no numbers. Instead, the hands point to days of the week. Who needs to know the time when you’re retired?

Some day, when I have gotten used to being a full time, stay-at-home senior, I will pass the clock on to a new recycled teenager who has decided to take the plunge, throw out the guilt and become a retiree.

Now please excuse me, at the time of writing this my clock tells me it’s Wednesday. Off to the pool for some more fun and frolic. Retirement — I’ve earned it.

JENNIFER E. MAY is former Teche Life editor for The Daily Iberian.