Apologies if I've missed parts of the discussion. Trying hard to catch up.
RE: What Retirement is for us.
...............................................................
We never expected to be this old, or to be reasonably healthy.
We have spent the time to deal with the future, and are at peace with whatever might happen. Myself or jeanie.
22 years growing up and college.
30 years employed
30 years retired (frugally)
61 years married
Absolutely the happiest days of our lives.
Moved into our CCRC 15 years ago at age 68. Best decision, as we're comfortable and well adjusted to life without worries.
It was a bit of a tough decision at the time... live in the homestead 'til we died or be safe... with the ability to adjust to whatever might happen. We love living in Liberty Village... Just now came back from a driveway party with about 25 good friends who live here in the Villas. Same age group, same interests. Naturally many widows/widowers in a 300+ population so the transition, when it happens, is easier than living alone.
No downsides, and we will not be a burden on our four sons and their families.
__________________
Our home is already handicap equipped so we may try to stay in it for a long time. But we are aware that life can change.
We're very lucky so far.
Happy all is going well. At one time post retirement moves had the possibility for going from mid Michigan back to the UP. Love its beauty & most vacations take us there. I think once a person acclimates to snow, it’s not that tough. After plopping a 48x32’ polebarn in the middle of our two acres, it feels as though the anchor was dropped...but I also realize (hope) lots of time & possibilities are yet to come.
Two brothers migrated to AZ south of Tucson. Really nice & active retirement town, and wifey loved it on her first visit. I said come back in August & tell me that. One brother still has a home & does 5-7 months of summer/fall in OH. The other does parts of July & August in northern MI where his daughter lives. I need green, water, humidity, brisk air, etc. Feel like a literal fish out of water in the SW.
I do occasionally think I may hit the day maintaining two acres of growth gets to be too much. We’ll see how much assistance we get or pay for. Once the young couple in this little semi rural stretch of homes, we are now the second oldest. All others stayed. We helped the others out as much as possible. But I don’t see the same community dynamics down the road. We’ll see. Maybe others will surprise me.
Til then, though I’ve been told I’m an introvert who has to be occasionally dragged into social situations, I feel I have a pretty good set of family & friends to consistently interact with. And I really do think that’s important. And despite all its flaws, I think that’s a big plus to this social media world...interacting with lots of others - family, friends & acquaintances - we might not otherwise much see.
I see a lot of my dad in me. Some tell me that as the opposite of a compliment, but I take it as one. I didn’t see him with a lot of friends, but he didn’t have a fear of interacting when it presented himself. If he withdrew too much, I knew how to push his buttons with simple questions meant to make him give oral pronouncements on the world around him. Others let him stew in silence. I did not like that. When he had a dog, he’d take multiple long walks per day. Sometimes the dog would come home alone. At first it was worrisome, but we soon learned that dad was simply working his way slowly through the neighborhood having conversations with anyone out & receptive. During his work life, he had few of those opportunities. When the dog had to be put down, so did his health...rapidly. The walks, the talks, his life diminished. Didn’t have to, but it did. And like me, I recognized he reflected the receptiveness of those around him. Want to interact? I’m here. Want to ignore? I’m okay with that too...though not really. I find that to be the foundation of many “introverts”.
Ramble, rant, tangents, life...SQUIRREL!
