Retirement Eligible

Friday will be my 59th birthday!!! It's amazing to me that so much time has gone by and so many events have taken place in my life. So many people have entered into and departed from my life. Most of my recalled past stirs up my emotions. Occasionally it's like watching a television show while thinking "did I really do that?" There have been missed steps, few regrets, great travels and lots of fun, love, tears and laughter along the way. My career took a lot of time and led me in directions I wouldn't have imagined. I devoted 10 years of college towards it. I gained autonomy, climbed ladders, and led others. I created positions that hadn't existed and made them integral to the everyday workings of the organizations where I worked. I became a teacher and a mentor. I learned some important life lessons and met some incredible colleagues and personalities. As I look back, I'm proud of what I've accomplished.

In 2 days I will be "retirement eligible". What an exciting upcoming event! There really is payoff for putting in your 30 years of work. I now am eligible to leave my employment and to continue receiving income. What a concept! I remember all of the long ago discussions with my dad about preparing for this time, not taking it seriously in my 20s. Somewhere in my 30s it just became a part of the package at work. It was easy to do a little research, to make some choices and the process began. In spite of the economic changes over the years, I've still reached a place where it's going to pay off. The decision to retire has been interesting. I was really excited to talk to our benefits manager. I had a few scary moments thinking about letting go. Then I went to work the next day and it was clear it was time to move on. Life is pulling me in different directions.

What's most interesting are the responses I get from others. Of course there are the "I don't want you to leave" responses from those I work with every day. It's nice to feel wanted. Then there is the usual "what are you going to do". I don't think that's going to be an issue. An interesting one was "don't you want to escape from everything in life". I don't think work has been an escape, it's just a part of life.

Well anyway, I'm on the short countdown to retirement. I'm retirement eligible in another day. And I've targeted 2 months before I actually depart. What an exciting phase of life!

CatCerto

The CATcerto is the current project of the lithuanian conductor, composer and artist Mindaugas Piečaitis. The world premiere was performed by Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra in the Klaipėda Concert Hall in Klaipėda (Lithuania) on 5th June, 2009. It gained recognition in the international media, a.o. the BBC, Lithuanian TV, Baltic TV and the First Baltic Chanel (russian).
Mindaugas Piečaitis composed and directed the Catcerto for Nora The Piano Cat™ and orchestra, where Nora, the soloist, was brought in via video.

Wedding Entrance Dance

Very fun.

In Memory

It's been a year since we lost Andrew. The hole in our hearts and the ache that it causes haven't changed. We miss him so much. There still are no words for the loss of a child. I don't know what to say. I love you Andrew, I miss you Andrew. Not a day goes by that we don't think about you. Thank you for what you have brought to our lives. So many people were touched by your special spirit and still celebrate their relationship to you. We were all blessed to have you in our lives. I miss your hugs, I miss your smile. I miss our talks. You are a part of us as we have been a part of you. We love you.

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa

A New Angel

The photo is of our newest angel Tigger.

I'm getting quite weary from losing people and pets. Last weekend we lost one of our cats to renal failure. This just a little over 3 weeks after losing our shih tzu Molly, which was weeks after losing my brother, which was less than 3 months ago. The total number of pets we have lost in under 3 years is 3 dogs, 2 cats. Let's hope that's all for a while!

Yesterday someone said to me "I don't know if I want to get really old ~ it just seems to involve loss and/or disability. That was a shocking statement to me. I just think of it all as life transitions. I've seen babies being born, I've been with many, many patients when they have died. I've had many new babies born into the family, and have had many family members move on to their "afterlife" or whatever one chooses to call it. A friend calls it "changing addresses". I like that description. When I change addresses I look forward to finding all my people and pets!

Here are some of the other pets who have changed addresses....

Molly (5/09)


Socks (2008)


Annie (2007)


Boomer (2006)

Georgie on vacation

Ahhhhh....now this is the way to relax on vacation!