Views from a Front Porch…Life is Funny That Way

Today is a day for observation and reflection for me. So many of my co-workers are retiring, and no wonder since they’ve been working here all their adult lives! I wish them all the very best as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.

But, I have to say, I am more than a little bit jealous. Even more so after I saw just how lucrative state retirement benefits are for people who stay 20+ years!

I even announced to my boss a couple of months ago that my intention was to retire at the end of this year, which technically I can still do. But silly me just bought a new car last year, and I’d need to get rid of it or stay at home. I don’t want to stay at home and if I get rid of the car I have limited ways to go anywhere. I looked into living abroad, and I still want to do that. I could live comfortably abroad, but I don’t want to HAVE to live abroad. So, I told my boss that I changed my mind. To her credit, she tried to hide her relief and happiness. If that’s my worst work experience, I have it pretty good.

So, I wish all my retiring buddies well and try real hard to mean it. And I do, mean it, and wish them the best. And I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I won’t be retiring this year (unless a certain hairy goon is elected, then all bets are off). But I have a job I like and I work for people who appreciate the work I do. I don’t have to do the same thing every day, which makes me happy. I make decent money; hell, in this state I make damn good money!

I’ve had a long and winding journey that led me to where I am now. I’ve had five or six pretty cool, and very distinctive careers. Now I’ve landed in a place I never thought I’d be, working in a government agency for a governor that put conservative on the map! I like the man, but not so much his politics. I work with some pretty cool people, doing great work for the deserving people of the state, and who are really trying to improve the lives of Mississippians.

I can’t affordably retire this year. Boo hoo! But, I’m happy, fairly healthy, doing good work with great people. It’s not a bad place to spend a few years before I retire to my next career. Life is just funny that way!