how is it being retired?

"And so how is retirement?" they ask.

And I can see in the eyes of some that they have already answered the question -- that it is a fate worse than death, that one has lost one's true and real identity -- the job that one holds, and is cast off into a vast and desolate wasteland to wander thirstily in a scape inhabited by wearers of white socks and plaid coats desperately seeking jobs as Walmart greeters.

Actually, I retired long ago, while I was still "gainfully employed" as they say. 

In thinking on it, I retired in 1974, when a university offered me tenure. I took the offer as a sign that I HAD MADE IT, refused tenure, and leaped into active retirement in which I have

·      driven an 18-wheeler

·      raised and sold cucumbers to a pickle factory

·      organized, edited, and published a community magazine

·      stocked the shelves of a university bookstore

·      helped gather and publish in useful form statewide criminal justice data

·      performed weddings, christenings, and ministered

·      been a houseparent for 6 teen boys with middle fingers raised to the entire universe

·      developed and taught wellness courses for a medical school

·      taught martial arts

·      bagged potato eyes in a basement inhabited by 7 eye-cutting women and a blaring country-western radio

·      shot pistol and run through the night with members of a peace officer association

·      become acquainted with many strong and good-hearted Native American folk

·      taught wellness courses for Native American nations

·      been executive director for a two-county behavioral health center

·      been chief psychologist for a 4-county behavioral health system

·      been clinical director of a 4-community behavioral health system

·      been psychologist for a university employee assistance program

·      written a few books

·      done the Imogene Pass "grueling" annual trek three times

·      gotten married and divorced twice

·      fathered two magnificent children, both warriors and loving beings

·      hiked a large number of the trails of northern Arizona

·      read ten zillion books

·      and so on

So when I'm asked how is retirement, I usually reply, "I'm having the best time of my life!" and let it go at that. Sometimes I say, "Re-tired? I was never tired in the first place"