Cover Story

March 2005 

The Retirement Chronicles

You’ve said your good-byes and filed your retirement papers. What’s next? We asked eight NEA-Retired members beginning their first year of retirement to keep monthly journals. A peek inside reveals the freedom, the worries, and the search for identity marking this rite of passage.

Edited by John O’Neil

A Chapter Ends

On my final day teaching, my son paid a surprise visit to see me in the classroom one last time. Two parents created a large “Thank You” card, and inside were notes of thanks and pictures of events I had taken part in at school. At lunch, they presented me with green and pink balloons. As my son and I left the lunchroom, the students stopped what they were doing and applauded. Just the feeling I got looking back into their faces, and seeing the smiles and the tears, was the most touching: “Job well done!”

—Georgia Christian
Talladega, Alabama
June 2004

I went straight from college into teaching, meaning I’ve spent almost my entire life in school. I always heard rumors that there was a whole wide world outside the classroom walls. Is it true? Now I’m going to find out.

—Tim Rockey
Phoenix, Arizona
July 2004

The night before school opened in August, I barely slept. I dreamt that school was beginning in the morning and that I was totally unprepared. I dreamt that I forgot to set the alarm—and that the office assistant became so unglued that the police had to tie her to a chair until they could remove her from the office. I awoke just before the alarm would have gone off had I still been teaching, and again when I would have been walking out the door. I had stopped having school anxiety dreams a few months ago and thought they were gone for good. I wonder how long they’ll last.

—Cindy Coleman
Michigamme, Michigan
August 2004

The very last day of school I came home, sat in my favorite chair, and cried. Had I made the worst mistake of my life? Those thoughts have passed, thank goodness, and I’m looking forward to what life has in store for me.

—Sayre Turney
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
July 2004

On the day schools reopened—my first “true” day of retirement—I got up as though I was going to work. My husband, daughter, and I drove 10 miles to the Waffle House near my school, and we waved at the buses as they passed. Another co-worker who had also retired dropped in for coffee while we were there. We took pictures to send back to the school and talked about how blessed we were to be at this point in our lives.

—Georgia Christian
Talladega, Alabama
September 2004

Today I had a yard sale and sold all my school stuff—kids’ books, posters, and teaching materials. Some of it was bought by other teachers. I also donated toys and books to a daycare center. This was positive closure. It felt good to see it all go, and I’m content that they’ll continue to be used to educate.

—Martha Pratt
West Bath, Maine
July 2004

Where’s the Money, Honey?

Being a librarian, I will always splurge on books. But overall, I’m spending less. I’m not using as much gas since I don’t have to drive 22 miles round-trip to school every day. I’m also eating at home more, since I have more time to prepare meals. Fortunately, I paid off all my credit cards before I retired and have a strict budget for credit card purchases, so I stop and ask myself if I really need it before I charge anything.

—Sayre Turney
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
September 2004

I’m no longer spending money on my students and the classroom, and we’re saving money at the grocery store now that I have time to plan meals. We have no interest in building a new home; we’d rather spend money on our children, grandchildren, and traveling.

—Cathy Etzler
Fort Recovery, Ohio
September 2004

New Doors Open

Five months before I retired, I got permission to start a community library. Michigamme (year-round population 365) has never had one. Now, my husband Larry and I are getting to work on it. I spent most of this month fund-raising, and Larry started building bookcases in an old wooden church that belongs to the village. We’ve spent every morning this month sanding and varnishing each board until it gleams. The work has been good for the soul. About 1,500 books have been donated so far, and we don’t even open for another month.

—Cindy Coleman
Michigamme, Michigan
October 2004

I’ve started working a few hours a week at a beautiful home accessories boutique new to Shenandoah, and that’s been lots of fun. I see a lot of people I didn’t see before, and the job has no stress. I love decorating, and this is a fun way to spend some time. When I got my first paycheck, I owed four dollars.

—Mary Irvin
Shenandoah, Iowa
August 2004

I’m doing some substitute teaching in my local system. So far, I love it. I am lucky enough to see my former colleagues and the students, and when I sub at the high school, I have the privilege of seeing students that I had in seventh grade.

I catch myself thinking—“this is what teaching is supposed to be about”—I am simply teaching, no other agendas, no meetings.

—Cathy Etzler
Fort Recovery, Ohio
October 2004

My Time, My Choice

A magazine arrived recently with ideas for Thanksgiving table decorations. I actually bought the materials and made little Pilgrim hats for my family’s Thanksgiving dinner. I didn’t have to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish the project, and I feel so good about what I’ve done.

—Sayre Turney
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
November 2004

I’m getting all kinds of volunteer opportunities—people are clamoring for my time and money. A few weeks ago I had a shocker when one of the 80-plus gentlemen in our church said, “We’re counting on you to join our Silver Songbirds.” The invitation is flattering, but no way do I think of myself as a Silver Songbird—yet!

—Elaine Roberts
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
November 2004

What do I like best about retirement? Sleeping in. The hardest part: My wife being jealous!

—Tim Rockey
Phoenix, Arizona
December 2004

Finally, I’m making all the decisions about my daily life—no more of those endless meetings before and after school. No principal can tell me where to be and when! The flexibility is marvelous—I can join a friend on a museum trip at a moment’s notice. It’s wonderful to have time to focus on my wants and desires—My Time.

—Martha Pratt
West Bath, Maine
December 2004

Today, I was thinking how lucky I am. I now have time to leisurely read the paper and have another cup of coffee, time to work out at the fitness center in the morning when no one else is there, time to go on the road with (husband) J.C.

—Mary Irvin
Shenandoah, Iowa
November 2004

Tips For New Retirees

“Six Ways to Thrive in Retirement,”  previously published in This Active Life, has loads of tips to get you off to a fast start in retirement.

Our Journal-ists

Cathy Etzler
Fort Recovery, Ohio

Etzler, who taught for 25 years and retired at 55, says her phone “rings off the wall with people asking for help because they’re sure you’re not busy enough.”

Georgia Christian
Talladega, Alabama

Christian, a former elementary school teacher, says retirement affords her “the time to plant, cultivate, pick, and smell my roses.”

Tim Rockey
Phoenix, Arizona

Former social studies teacher Rockey recently conducted scoring for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and teaches part-time at Arizona State University.

Mary Irvin
Shenandoah, Iowa

A former elementary teacher, Irvin enjoys working part-time at a home accessories boutique, traveling, and “checking things off my list.”

Sayre Turney
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

A former librarian, Turney has been slowed by foot surgery, but she recently finished sewing herself a new dress.

Elaine Roberts
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The former special education teacher and president of the South Dakota Education Association was recently elected to the state legislature.

Cindy Coleman
Michigamme, Michigan

Coleman, a former social worker and high school teacher, says the community library she helped build since beginning her retirement now holds 3,500 books.

Martha Pratt
West Bath, Maine

After 31 years teaching kindergarten and first grade, Pratt is spending time with her grandkids and volunteers at an assisted living facility. She’s also started piano lessons.