Retirement: a new path

Well, I am certainly surprised by this new path of retirement. Only today, after almost 2 weeks into it, am I starting to feel like I’m really retired. I have not had one to do list since May 31. The truck finally arrived on Thursday with our items and I have been busy unpacking. As you can see, I got the most important thing set up first, our coffee station. We usually get up very early and have our lattes on the patio facing the pond. It is idyllic, my friends, just idyllic! We are meeting new neighbors daily and getting used to rain showers every afternoon. We have availed ourselves of the pool on the hot afternoons and it is delightful.

Unfortunately, I ended up in urgent care because I was unable to walk on my foot. They put me in a boot cast and I saw the orthopedist three days later. It is amazing how quickly I was seen by both urgent care and at the doctors office. Everybody has been incredibly kind. So I had an injection, am on oral steroids, and I have to be in the boot for a week yet. Plantar fasciitis! 🤪My dear DARYL is waiting on me hand and foot and is a sweetheart. I managed to sit down and unpack a lot of boxes though.

The other part of moving here is a big adjustment. That is trying to find friends who are somewhat in line with our Progressive thinking. We have received a lot of negative comments from people because we’re from California. They have lots of bad things to say about it. I’ve taken this approach. I asked them have you ever lived under the biggest trees in the United States? Do you get to swim across the lake every single day? Do you have neighbors who come and shovel your snow before you’re even out of bed? Do you have a town that has 22 wine boutiques, and friends in every one of them? Do you have a community resource bank that feeds the hungry and programs for those who are homeless? Do you have a church that just loves you to pieces? This is the California I know! I try not to be arrogant about it and I say to people, “California is a very diverse state so please don’t judge me about what you think you know about it.” I think when we get our license plate changed maybe all the comments will stop but for now they keep coming.

My devotional time with God has taken a decided turn. No longer do I read scripture to see how I will preach the lectionary. No longer do I think about worship in terms of who is in the pews and what their needs might be. This all feels very strange to me. When I read my Psalm this morning, it was flat. It was more like a description of what’s going on in our nation now and did nothing to encourage me. So I quickly turned to scripture song that DARYL wrote. “And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your Hearts & Minds through Christ Jesus.” I used to sing this song often to my congregation as a benediction. The other thing that really lifted me and caused me to worship was DARYL playing the organ. We now have his Studio organ installed and it is just magnificent. The 9 foot ceilings of our great room allow the sound to just resonate. I am blessed beyond measure.

I surely do miss all of you, though. I know that it will take time to deepen relationships here. Know that you are dear to me and I love you very much. Will let you know when we’re ready for visitors! Easing into retirement! Bonnie Lee