The smartest thing a city can do is install sidewalk benches in its retail distract. If one of a couple wants to pop into a shop, the other can sit outside people watching.
Am I looking in a mirror when I see other older men perched so? One second-time visitor from Chicago told me “I used to be somebody at Sears till they offered me an early buyout.” He is somebody here now.
It came back to mind not long ago when I read an article by a now-retired priest at a parish I went to as a young man. A few weeks into newly-minted Fr. Mezacapa’s tenure he surprised us by carrying a football helmet into the pulpit. He explained that he had been a coach and athletic director when he heard the call.
He was one of those gung-ho Anglicans, still full of the vim, vigor and vitality when he led his teams to five straight losing seasons. losing seasons.
We lost track of each other for a few decades, then relinked when I heard ha’d retired. We’s followed the same track, moving on to other churches, but still writing columns for our smalltown papers.
“Gumption!” he’d preached to his players. “You missed that pass? So? It’s in the past. I know we’re 0-6. Want to make it a perfect 0-7 season. No? Have a little gumption. Get back on the field and tackle someone!”.
The old “I used to be someone” boy on the bench had identified with his work two where now he felt like a has-been instead of re-making himself new daily.
Business is business; employers first must make money. When someone leaves, you keep the ship going and someone else. Maybe you’ll gather with former coworker friends for lunch knowing that rear-view mirror will pass too.
Knowing time to refocus my heart was imminent, I set out writing, I began writing murder mysteries. The first was received so well I knocked off seven more in the last six years, with sketches for more still in my computer.
The Allegan County News and more picked up my weekly “Life as Performance Art” columns too.
An old college classmate taught till she turned 65, got the golden pocket watch, went back to school, became an ordained Lutheran pastor and now counsels elders at a large retirement community.
Another friend post-retirement indulged his talent for sharpening knives, practiced, studied and worked at it. He makes some money, but more important he is doing something he loves, is out making friends and is admired for his craftsmanship far and wider.
What makes this possible? Gumption, as Fr. Nick calls it. Since work is the best kind of fun, we jump in and keep moving forward.
World War II British Prime Minister Winston Churchill red rubber-stamped documents: Action This Day.” Why wait?
