I have been seeing a lot of people around me getting retired lately. Especially almost all of my aunts and uncles here are getting retired. Well, some of them have already retired and some are planning for one in near future.
That really makes me wonder how one's retired life could be. And when I see my wealthy Uncle Mike, a retired veteran anesthetist, who is on a frequent vacation traveling across states and countries, I can't help but just envy him.
A series of thoughts popped on my mind and I start daydreaming about my retirement. Well, to be exact it should be "we": him and I. I bet the biggest question to almost everyone for their retirement is that whether one financially sound for it? Well, both of us are not spendthrift persons and pretty conservative about saving money so I think it wouldn't be a biggie.
I once saw a movie in which the couple's dream was to be able to retire at their 50s. I'm not sure I would be really that sensitive and serious about the early retirement. Well, I don't like being a housewife and staying home idling. To some, it could an enjoyment and relaxation but I could not take it for a long time. In contrast, I've seen one of my co-workers who retired at her 70s. She told me that she could have retired early but she didn't want to sit at home so just decided to come back and keep working. Well, I'm not sure I want to work until that age either.
Anyway, aside from those reality matters and some uncertainties of what and how it would be for me, the first, foremost and the most important thing would be "to be with him" during my retirement. That is the number one on my list . No matter what and how it is, my life won't be complete without him. We've been busy struggling and taking care of our loved ones throughout our lives. Life would be so lonely without having a loved one who endured all ins and outs with you by your side . Especially there would most likely be none but him by my side during the retirement. The girls will then be all grown up and might as well be settling for their future, career and perhaps their own families.
Okay, what's next? Dreams are free so I see myself in a nice vacation house which preferably is very close to the beach and with a huge garden of course. As he likes doing yard work and gardening, I think it will keep both of us busy. I will help him grow the veggies, flowers and may be busy taking care and picking fruits from fruit trees. Really! Looking at our own garden's products is such an ecstasy.
I guess another item on my list would be testing and trying new recipes. Then I will have a total freedom and unlimited time for the cooking and baking. After making some yummy unhealthy stuff such as cheese cake, I will be sharing it with my friends and neighbors.
And I can sharpen my tailoring and knitting skills by trying out the new catalog patterns provided that God still permits me with good eyes. I can make the clothes for my grand kids :P
And I can sharpen my tailoring and knitting skills by trying out the new catalog patterns provided that God still permits me with good eyes. I can make the clothes for my grand kids :P
Oh, yes, traveling of course. I would love to visit around the globe to the places where I haven't been there yet. That would really be my ultimate dream. We prefer self-guided tours and would be roaming around with maps in our hand. With him, I'm not worrying about getting lost somewhere. He's a direction guru so what do I care?
Hmm... I wonder that I would still love shopping by then? LOL. :P For sure I could do shop until drop online shopping. Let's see he could keep me company if I would still love to do shopping at that point. He used to be very patient for my shopping until we've got girls. I often accuse him of becoming an opposite person by giving kiddos is an excuse when my shopping is concerned. Well, I have to admit that he still let me do it most of the time by taking care of girls if that could not be compared as an equality as before. Anyway, when we got retired it would be just two of us again so let's see how he reacts for my shopping by then. :P That would be so interesting to see an old lady who is still so much into shopping I guess. LOL. :P
Another cool thing would be that we don't have to kick our lazy butt off from bed during mornings. We would be able to wake up whatever time we want. Woah! I like that idea a lot. Perhaps that would be one of the things I enjoy most by then. Sipping juice or tea, reading a book or having a conversation with him and having a meal by taking as much time we want at the dining table will be so darling. Oh my! I can't wait. :P
Furthermore, we could enjoy watching TV as much as we want. I don't even need to bother of being a couch potato or having enough time if I would get addicted to one of those TV series. All I need is to kill my time, right?
And we can do a lot of romantic things by then. :P Evening strolls will be perfect. It will not only keep us fit but also make a quality time for us. All fights or arguments will be excluded and only the love, the care and I'm really looking forward to a quiet and nice days ahead for us. And we'll find lots of activities to do together and keep us busy.
Sometimes when we need noises, the grand kids would bring them to us. I don't mind taking care of them. If the girls are really in need, I would definitely help them to take care them for them. I think those little noise-makers will make our life green and wet from time to time. Oh yeah? There is a possibility that they will drive me nuts as well. LOL. :P
Last not least, I can do the blogging almost every day. Well, as long as something triggers me with ideas for writing of course.
Oh, it's such a fantasy to daydream about one's retired life! Anyway, it doesn't cost me a penny for any imagination so I could sail my dream to whichever direction I want, right? Perhaps the only regret by then might be the so-called maturity or aging. Well, it's a trade-off I guess. We need to trade it with our youth.
Speaking of aging, it brings me up for the meditation. Being a Buddhist, I would be doing a lot of religious things and good deeds for the next life. It's not like I'll be doing only by then since doing so should be a life-long routine thing. But it's more like I would be devoting more on doing them by then since I got plenty of time to invest.
And I've seen some of those retired ones around me got depressed over time. It makes me feel so surprised at the beginning because I don't get it why? Because their lives have been so busy all along and they become so idle suddenly so they aren't able to cope with them. Perhaps when I get to that point, I might totally get them. Or at least I sympathize them. Or at most I might feel the same.
Regardless I'm not on the same page with them at this point. Thus my retirement fantasy goes on and goes on. The reality is yet to come and I wonder what and how it will be like when it actually comes?
