Finally, after thirty years of teaching and twenty-five years in counseling, I am retiring. My family and I have been very blessed, beyond my wildest imagination. It is true that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him.” I have mixed feelings about retirement. One part of me wishes that I was eighteen again and just starting out. Then reality kicks in and I realize that I am not a kid anymore. At seventy-five years of age, I’ve lived longer and worked longer than any of my eight siblings. I’ve been blessed with a most loveable and loving wife of fifty-four years, wonderful children and grandchildren, wonderful children-in-laws, and Jesus making it clear to me that I should focus on them-my most precious gifts. He is calling me to be more present and loving toward those I love and love me. Hope I don’t become a burden or a nuisance.
People ask what I will do in retirement. I am praying about that. I want to facilitate groups for those who have suicide in their family, another for families experiencing brain injury, and another for those experiencing care-giver burnout. I also want to be a more virtuous person.
Mary Jo and I want to simplify our lives in and effort to deal with the mental, physical and spiritual experience of getting older. Thoreau said that if you want to live a less stressful life, that you should simplify it. We are selling the office at 301 East Fourth Street. It was built for Doctor Dunlop who sold it to us. We hope this historical landmark will continue to be a place of healing for the community.
I hope to enter more deeply into a life of prayer and service, knowing that my family and friends will continue to be blessed by God’s loving presence. Above all I want to “know the Lord and bear his cross so as to wear the crown he wore.”
I’ve rarely missed mass all of my life and I have no intention of stopping now. As you have noted my Catholic faith has been a foundation of a wonderful life. I hope to go to confession and Eucharist as often as I can. I would like to cantor as long as my lungs and voice will let me. I hope to be always able to pray, “God, grant that I may love thee always and then do with me as you will.”, and “Our Father, who art in heaven…” and the Rosary. Let us not be strangers.
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
