Retirement! I looked forward to it at one time. I thought then I could finally rest and do nothing. I thought about it so much I actually imposed it on myself. At 57, I quit my job and did not look for another one. I decided to teach the “Joy of Writing.†Then things happened. My mother had Alzheimer’s disease and hated me, her only child who was alone taking care of her. In the beginning of that disaster I had a stroke. Mild, yes, but nevertheless it rendered me dumb. I would stare at walls blankly. Could not read, I scrambled with the words. All I could do was knit. Sure I continued to teach and that improved me somewhat but I was not the person I was before my stroke. She was sharp. Now I was dull. Or so I thought.
Then six years after my stroke I discovered Stem Enhance. After eight months of taking it I got my old sharp mind back. I worked for my cousin for two years making jewelry but early this year I quit. Since then I have been setting my home in order then messing it up again. Of course I have produced some things that are pretty but lately I have been wondering – am I actually getting bored? I have a suspicion I am.
This is the Philippines, not the US where you have AARP, some association for retired people that gives you news on what you can do, where you can go, how you can make new friends, maybe even how you can date among your age group. Here you have to figure it all out on your own. Frankly, I don’t know what to do because I prefer to stay home rather than get bored in a crowd, but I also think I should be doing something where I am talking to interesting people and exchanging ideas with them.
I was on my way out of the Polo Club when a young woman with a little son said, “Excuse me, aren’t you Barbara Gonzalez?â€
“Yes,†I said. She looked familiar.
“I was your student once when you taught at Punongbayan & Araullo. I want you to know that until now I use the method you taught me. I have found it very useful for travel writing or for planning. I think your writing class was worth it. Of the many classes I have taken I would give that a high rating. I really value what you taught me.â€
“Thank you for telling me that,†I said. Then I didn’t know what else I said because I was very flattered. I know I saw her little son, a cutie pie in his trunks, and met her father.
But she got me thinking. Maybe I should teach “Joy of Writing†again to stimulate others, of course, but also to excite me. To bring some sparkle to what I now see is a very quiet, rather dull life. I wonder how many students I can get. Are you interested in learning how to write more creatively? I have a process I can introduce you to which will lead you inside yourself so you can write in your own voice and from your heart. If you are interested, send me a text. Let’s be clear though. We are both just thinking about this. Depends on how many interested people I feel I can get, I will decide whether or not to open a writing class.
Actually, I spoke to my grandson Nicc about it and he organized a class for me with his friends, young people in their early 20s. I think that’s exciting. I will get new ideas from them and maybe they want some of my wisdom. I have learned a lot and I want to share what I know, not keep it on the sofa watching Law & Order and CSI all day.
Then maybe I will also look for a consulting job. That’s what retired people do. They consult. There used to be an international consultancy for retired people. I remember one of my clients hired a retired American engineer whose face we attempted to get on a label but we couldn’t shoot him without his blinking. I think he had eyes that could not stand the light or even a flash.
But I could do consulting on so many topics it’s unbelievable because my work experience has gone from account executive to vice president to secretary to chairman and president of profit and non-profit organizations and various companies. Also, these days I just want to get out of the house so you can ask me to do anything that I will find challenging. That’s what’s important to me now — challenge.
So if you want to possibly take my writing class, text me. Or if you think you could use my consulting service, also text me. I believe I need a new life and I have no doubt I will get it. Let’s just see with whom.
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