I love my "job"

[Lucy]

I've been "retired" now for almost 4 years. Really my eyes retired me. I'm not a youngster, so I did not lose a couple of decades to retiring early. Still, I think we all want to retire when we want, not when something or someone decides we should.

I'm no further ahead with my eyes and they are with me 24/7 EXCEPT for the times I can become involved enough with something to forget them for awhile. It's like something on the back burner, it's still there, but it's not at a boil.

I decided about six months ago that I was going to volunteer at something. You pretty much have a pick of where you'd like to volunteer as all kinds of places need free help. I picked something that was very different than anything I'd ever done. I volunteer for an aviation museum. I am basically a "greeter." (I tell people "think Walmarts" lol) The building is absolutely made for me and my eye situation. I didn't realize this at first. The lighting is quite dim in the museum and it has a calming ambiance. The low lighting is heaven for my eyes. I do not have to read anything and no computer stuff.

I've met people from all over the US, England and all age groups. I'm so glad I took the risk to make this effort. I'd been quite sick the past couple of years (Sjogrens+) and this has given me something else to focus on. I look forward to this one afternoon a week and sometimes volunteer for extra projects. I highly recommend it to anyone with the time. Lucy

[calli66]

Excellent idea, Lucy--

I just turned 59, and it's been 2 years since I quit my job, mainly because of stress, Sjogren's, living out of town, etc. I've been "at loose ends," not wanting to take another full-time job or even part-time. I've spent the last 2 years getting a diagnosis, and making multiple trips to take care of my mother in another state.

But being "retired" has been hard to adjust to---I feel purposeless, unfocused, and a tad depressed. I've been volunteering at the local campaign office, and that's been great, but it's almost over now.

So I'll be looking at some new volunteer opportunities this month. I hate giving up the possibility of a paying job, but I don't want to make a job commitment knowing it'll stress me out, and also knowing I might have to quit on short notice to go take care of mom.

Calli