Well it wasn't quite what I planned or expected folks.
I am afraid life has conspired a series of unexpected disasters that have made retirement (so far) a rather colourful, and occasionally, trying time. However, none of these crisis are (thankfully) life threatening, although some issues are rather personal and thus I will not discuss them in detail.
However - the basics....
My middle son Sam returned home to live in the family home.and we have his son, my lovely grandson Izaak with us 3 nights a week. That said I had forgotten just how busy a 2 year old can be....
A real crisis arose when Jan my lovely wife gets a bad back - seriously prolapsing a disk at L5. We have to leave a festival in Yorkshire in a real hurry, this followed by an emergency admission week in hospital, and 4 months in a wheelchair.
But we fought back... Sam is now in College and doing voluntary work. My other 2 sons Tom and Robert are doing brilliantly in their careers. My other Grandson Dafydd is growing and flourishing. Jan is improving - slowly...
I lost a good friend to premature death. But then we traveled happily across the UK in our Mobile Home, going to Festival, and other beautiful places en-route, to get to Edinburgh for his perfect and poignant funeral.
And I am getting used to "being retired". I am writing, thinking, reading... I am rested, focused, and tired, all simultaneously. I am reflective and engaged - it is the next phase of life. And it takes a little getting used to - you have to find a "new routine" to to life after a lifetime of work.
I sat with Izaak this evening, he perched on my lap, watching the Frog Song - his little hand intently gripped my hand. I kissed his soft hair and I surged with a sense of permanence and love. The sun sank over Fairwood from my back garden.
Despite all that life throws at us - everyday is a new beginning............ And life is as always complicated.
